Acute sinusitis

If you’re experiencing acute sinusitis, you may notice the following signs and symptoms:
Thick mucus that’s yellow or greenish, which could be running from your nose or down the back of your throat
A blocked or stuffy nose, making it difficult to breathe through your nose
Pain, tenderness, swelling, and pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, which may worsen when bending over

Other potential signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis include:
Ear pressure
Headache
Aching in your teeth
Altered sense of smell
Cough
Bad breath
Fatigue
Fever

If you have acute sinusitis, visiting a doctor is generally unnecessary. However, you should reach out to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

Symptoms that persist for over a week or seem to be getting worse after improving
A continuous fever
A history of recurrent or chronic sinusitis

You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms that may indicate a severe infection, such as:

Pain, swelling, or redness around your eyes
High fever
Confusion
Double vision or other changes in vision
Stiff neck

The common cold, an infection with a virus, most often causes acute sinusitis. In some cases, a disease with bacteria develops.

If you have hay fever or another allergy that affects your sinuses, a common cold that affects your sinuses, a nasal passage abnormality like a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or tumours, a medical condition like cystic fibrosis or an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS, or have been exposed to smoke, either through smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, your risk of getting sinusitis may increase.

Here are some steps you can take to lower your chances of getting acute sinusitis:

Steer clear of people who have upper respiratory infections or other illnesses.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating.
Work with your doctor to manage your allergies and keep symptoms in check.
Avoid breathing in cigarette smoke and polluted air, irritating your lungs and nasal passages.
Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home if it’s dry due to forced-air heat. Just keep the humidifier clean and free of mould with regular cleaning.