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Symptoms of a Sinus Infection

A stuffy nose may occur after a nose injury and may block the drainage of a sinus. As the fluid builds up, pressure on the sinus increases, causing pain. The blocked sinus may lead to a sinus infection.

Symptoms of a sinus infection include:

  • Moderate to severe sinus pain that gets worse when you strain, cough, or bend over.
  • Fever.
  • Swelling around the eyes.
  • Thick yellow or green nasal discharge.
  • Trouble breathing through the nose.
  • Nasal-sounding voice.
  • A general feeling of not being well (malaise).
  • A cough caused by drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).
  • Bad breath (more common in children).
  • Reduced senses of taste and smell.

Medical treatment for a sinus infection includes medicines to:

  • Treat the infection and prevent infection from spreading.
  • Improve breathing.
  • Reduce tissue swelling.
  • Relieve pain.
  • Maintain mucous drainage.
  • Prevent scar tissue in the nose and sinuses.

An untreated sinus infection can lead to serious complications.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised March 22, 2011

Last Revised: March 22, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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