Learn about Sinusitis symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Sinusitis

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

If your nose feels blocked, you may think you have a cold, but it might be sinusitis.

The symptoms often start just as you think you're getting better from an infection.

Source:
Lindbaek M, Hjortdahl P, Johnsen UL.
Use of symptoms and signs, and blood tests to diagnose acute sinus infection in primary care: comparison with computed tomography.
Family Medicine. 1996; 28: 183-188.

With sinusitis you may get some of these symptoms as well as a blocked nose:

Source:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
September 2007. Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov (accessed on 2 February 2009).

A high temperature
Pain in your your forehead, upper jaw, teeth, cheeks or around your eyes
Loss of your sense of smell
A headache that is worse when you lean forward (it might start when you get up in the morning)
Toothache or pain when you eat
Lots of green or yellow mucus in your nose
Generally feeling unwell
A sore throat (caused by the mucus dripping down from your nose into your throat).

Your doctor will usually be able to tell if you have sinusitis by your symptoms, although it's difficult for doctors to tell if sinusitis is caused by

bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.

bacteria or by a

viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.

virus.

Source:
De Ferrati SD, Ioannidis JP, Lau J, et al.
Are amoxycillin and folate inhibitors as effective as other antibiotics for acute sinusitis? A meta-analysis
BMJ. 1998; 317: 632-637.

³ Sometimes, if your sinusitis is very bad or keeps coming back, you may need to see a specialist or have tests such as an

X-ray
X-rays are pictures taken of the inside of your body. They are done by passing very small amounts of radiation through your body and onto film. X-rays can also be used as a treatment, such as in radiation therapy for cancer.

X-ray or

CT scan
A CT scan is a type of X-ray. It takes several detailed pictures of the inside of your body from different angles. CT stands for computed tomography. It's also called a CAT scan (computed axial tomography).

CT scan.

Sources for the information on this page:

Lindbaek M, Hjortdahl P, Johnsen UL.Use of symptoms and signs, and blood tests to diagnose acute sinus infection in primary care: comparison with computed tomography.Family Medicine. 1996; 28: 183-188.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)September 2007. Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov (accessed on 2 February 2009).

De Ferrati SD, Ioannidis JP, Lau J, et al.Are amoxycillin and folate inhibitors as effective as other antibiotics for acute sinusitis? A meta-analysisBMJ. 1998; 317: 632-637.

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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