HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Overview of sinusitis (sinus infection or inflammation)
Tirohanga whānui ki te pokenga pakohu ihu (pokenga, whakawaikura rānei o te ihu o roto)
Sinusitis means an infection or inflammation of the sinuses.
Your sinuses are tiny spaces located in your cheeks and forehead and around your eyes.
Sinusitis is usually caused by a viral infection and gets better within 1 or 2 weeks. When it lasts less than 3 months, it is called acute sinusitis.
If you get sinusitis that lasts more than 3 months, it is called long-term sinusitis. Long-term sinusitis needs different treatment.
Symptoms of sinusitis
People with a sinus infection (acute sinusitis) have a blocked or runny nose, pain in their face and sometimes a headache.
In a more severe bacterial infection you may get:
- thick mucus, which is often green or yellow and may smell and taste bad
- a fever (above 38℃)
- pain in your face, usually just on one side
- much more unwell, even though you had previously been getting better.
Causes of sinusitis
A viral infection of the lining of your sinus is the commonest cause of sinusitis. Germs (bacteria) can cause a sinus infection though this is much less common.
Allergies can also cause sinus symptoms.
Treating sinusitis
As most sinusitis is not caused by bacteria, you will not usually need antibiotics.
Things that may help include:
- pain tablets such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- decongestant nasal spray
- steroid nasal spray
- nasal saline rinses
- antihistamines if allergy a problem.
If your symptoms are more severe, you may need a course of antibiotics.
If your sinus symptoms do not improve after three months, you may have developed long-term sinusitis. This will need treating differently.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Patient.info – Acute sinusitis
Information about acute sinusitis, how you can relieve your symptoms and when to see a doctor.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2023.
SourcesReview key: HISIN-86153
