Sinus Infection Symptoms

Certain factors cause inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages and this is what is termed as a sinus infection or sinusitis. Four major pairs of hollow air-filled sacks called sinuses, which include frontal sinuses (in the forehead), maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek bones), ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes) and sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes) form a part of the human skull and the anatomy of the sinuses, also known as paranasal sinuses. Bacteria which are normally present in the nasal passages can make their way into any of these sinuses and cause infection. This occurs when the host defense inside the sinuses is down. The following will brief you on the different types of sinus infection symptoms in adults and children based on its nature (acute or chronic) and the sinuses affected.

Symptoms of Sinus Infection

Acute Sinus Infection

Acute sinus infection is mostly an aftermath of a viral infection such as common cold. However, it is also known to be a repercussion of bacterial infection. The cause may also be of fungal origin, but is more prevalent in people who are immunocompromised, such as those with diabetes, AIDS, and the like. The symptoms are as follows:

Frontal sinuses: An infection of the frontal sinuses is characterized by severe headaches in the forehead, accompanied by fever and nasal discharge. The pain worsens while reclining and lessens when in an upright position.

Maxillary sinuses: As maxillary sinuses are located behind the cheek bones, so the infection causes pain across the cheekbone, under or around the eye or around the upper teeth. The affected person may experience pain or pressure on one side or both and he may also feel his cheeks to be tender, red or swollen. Fever, nasal discharge and pain which worsens in an upright position and gets better while reclining, are the other sinus infection symptoms.

Ethmoid sinuses: In this case, the infection manifests itself through pain in the inner corner of the eye(s) or down one side of the nose, and headache which is common in the temple or surrounding the eye. Others include nasal congestion with discharge or postnasal drip (chronic secretion of mucus from the rear of the nasal cavity into the nasopharynx), worsening pain with coughing, straining or lying on the back. When the head is upright, the pain reduces.

Sphenoid sinuses: While bending forward, the pain behind and on top of the head increases. Severe headache is also present along with the pain radiating across the forehead and behind the eye. One of the prominent symptoms in this case is the occurrence of double vision or vision disorders. This happens when the pressure extends to the brain. Nasal discharge, as with all, is again a common symptom.

Chronic Sinus Infection

Chronic sinus infection is a long-term medical problem thus, the name. Generally, it may last for more than 3 months or so. The symptoms in this case include:

Frontal sinuses: When the frontal sinuses are infected, symptoms include damage to the sinus area or a low-grade headache which is persistent by nature and occurs in the forehead.

Maxillary sinuses: Symptoms are chronic toothache, sensation of pressure below the eyes, worsening pain with cold and flu, etc., and which increases at night apart from the discomfort which is experienced throughout the day.

Ethmoid sinuses: Here, the symptoms are identified by discomfort felt across the bridge of the nose and which gets aggravated when wearing glasses. Nasal discharge will be chronic and obstruction may be experienced, accompanied by chronic sore throat and foul breath.

Sphenoid sinuses: When the sphenoid sinuses are infected, the only symptom would be a common low-grade headache.

Symptoms of the infection in children which are common include mucus discharge (clear or colored), persistent cough during the day that worsens at night, sore throat, bad breath and fever. It has also been found that some affected children also suffer from ear infection.

Drinking plenty of water and inhaling steam 2-4 times a day help in relieving the symptoms and discomfort. Medicines, as far as concerned, should be taken only after having prescribed by a doctor.