Sinusitis (Sinus Infection) Slideshow Pictures Nasal Allergy Relief Products Slideshow Pictures 10 Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Sinus Infection Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of sinus infections depend upon which sinuses are affected and whether the sinus infection is acute or chronic.

Acute sinusitis:

• Ethmoid sinusitis (behind the eyes)
  • Nasal congestion with discharge
  • Postnasal drip (mucus drips down the throat behind the nose) often accompanied by a sore throat
  • Pain or pressure around the inner corner of the eye or down one side of the nose
  • Headache in the temple, or surrounding or behind the eye
  • Pain or pressure symptoms are worse when coughing, straining, or lying on the back and better when the head is upright
  • Fever is common
• Maxillary sinusitis (behind the cheek bones)
  • Pain across the cheekbone, under or around the eye, or around the upper teeth
  • Pain or pressure on one side or both
  • Tender, red, or swollen cheekbone (maxilla)
  • Pain and pressure symptoms are worse with the head upright and bending forward and better when reclining
  • Nasal discharge or postnasal drip
  • Fever is common
• Frontal sinusitis (behind forehead, one or both sides)
  • Severe headaches in the forehead
  • Fever is common
  • Pain is worse when reclining and better with the head upright
  • Nasal discharge or postnasal drip
• Sphenoid sinusitis (behind the eyes)
  • Deep headache with pain behind and on top of the head, across the forehead, and behind the eye
  • Fever is common
  • Pain is worse when lying on the back or bending forward
  • Double vision or vision disturbances if pressure extends into the brain
  • Nasal discharge or postnasal drip

Chronic sinusitis:

• Ethmoid sinusitis
  • Chronic nasal discharge, obstruction, and low-grade discomfort across the bridge of the nose
  • Pain is worse in the late morning or when wearing glasses
  • Chronic sore throat and bad breath
• Maxillary sinusitis
  • Discomfort or pressure below the eye
  • Chronic toothache or increased tooth sensitivity
  • Pain possibly worse with colds, flu, or allergies
  • Increased discomfort throughout the day with increased cough at night
• Frontal sinusitis
  • Persistent, low-grade headache in the forehead
  • History of trauma or damage to the sinus area
  • Chronic postnasal drip
• Sphenoid sinusitis
  • Low-grade general headache is common
  • Chronic postnasal drip