Sinusitis infection mostly starts as a common cold, which should last for seven days, after which symptoms disappear. Still, in people with few underlying conditions (read about sinusitis causes here), it gets transformed into sinusitis. The worsening of common cold symptoms indicates this transition.
We can list sinusitis infection symptoms as
i) A feeling that phlegm is oozing out from the back of the nose to the throat. ii) A necessity to clear the throat frequently
Frequent sore throat and pain in the throat
Frequent attacks of cough
Rare sinus infection symptoms shown in eyes
Sometimes, a severe infection in the sinuses can affect the eyes due to their proximity.
Redness of the eye
Watering of the eye
Sinus infection symptoms and their behavior in particular stages
We must understand that we will find two to four sinus infection symptoms in acute sinusitis. However, you will see only one or two sinus infection symptoms in chronic sinusitis. In chronic sinusitis, the infection is present for a long time, and there will be some balance between disease and body, decreasing the number of complaints. This balance comes in as the body adapts to the infection and learns how to control it. So, the complaints will decrease in the transition between acute and chronic sinusitis. In chronic cases, the patient might have only one complaint: phlegm from the back of the nose to the throat and must clear their throat regularly or just nose block. When we talk to such patients, they will agree that they had multiple symptoms at one phase of the disease, indicating acute sinusitis. The number of symptoms gradually settled down to one or two. However, all chronic cases will have some acute exacerbation, i.e., chronic will become acute when there is a disturbance in the balance between disease and body. There will be a high infection in the sinus, and we will have more and more complaints. Again, after medication or an increase in immunity, the disease will return to a chronic form called “acute on chronic sinusitis.”
To understand how sinus infections occur, read the "Problems with Sinuses" part of the "What is sinus?" article in detail.
Why does a particular symptom of sinusitis occur?
Running nose in sinus infection
When there is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in the sinus, the sinuses secrete more fluid than usual. These fluids escape from the nose.
Nose block or stuffy nose due to sinusitis
Secretions due to the sinus infection can make the opposite corresponding walls stick together and block the airway.
Due to repeated infections or a severe infection, there will be swelling of the nose walls. This swelling can reduce the breathing airway.
Sinusitis headaches
In sinusitis, fluid stagnates in the sinuses, which are supposed to be air-filled cavities. As a result, fluid retention can increase beyond the capacity of the sinuses, causing pain or headache. Sometimes, if the sinus opening is blocked, the air in the sinus is absorbed, creating a negative pressure that causes headaches.
Facial pain
There will be pain between, above, and below the eyes and sometimes on top of the head. This pain will be continuous and dull aching pain.
Phlegm in the throat or a necessity to clear the throat frequently
Phlegm moves out from the sinus into the nose, then the back of the nose, and then slips into the throat. Most of it goes into the stomach through the food pipe. However, a part of it will go into the voice box, giving the urge to clear the throat while talking.
Frequent sore throat and pain in the throat
Fluids secreted in infected sinuses can have toxins, bacteria, and viruses. In addition, this fluid travels through the throat and can end up infecting the throat.
Frequent attacks of cough
Due to the fluid released from the sinus, our throat can be irritated, causing cough.
A conflict in nasal allergy and sinus symptoms
We will have almost the same symptoms for nasal allergy and sinusitis. So one way to differentiate is allergy testing and CT scan. Another way is to give allergy medication if it is a simple allergy. Then, if we get an excellent response within 4 to 5 days with the allergy medication, we can quickly rule out sinusitis.
What are the symptoms of a fungal sinus infection?
The symptoms of the fungal sinus infection depend on the type of fungal sinusitis. There are three types of fungal infections in sinusitis.
1. Non-invasive fungal sinusitis symptoms
Runny nose
Nose block
Headache
Facial pain
Phlegm oozes from the nose to the back of the throat, thus a need to clear the throat.
Sore throat
Frequent attacks of cough
Non-invasive fungal sinus infection has two subtypes
Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis
Fungal ball
Non-invasive fungal sinusitis symptoms are the same as bacterial sinus infections. However, the signs are not severe and cannot be identified easily. In most cases, even if the symptoms exist, it is most likely due to bacterial sinus infections that could exist in other sinuses.
In allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, rather than the symptoms, our body gives an allergic reaction to the fungus that will help us notice the infection.
Sometimes, patients get a CT scan for unrelated reasons, and a fungal ball is discovered in their sinuses without them even noticing one single symptom.
2. Invasive fungal sinus infection symptoms
Pain and/or swelling in the eye, nose, teeth, or cheek
Vision disturbances – double vision or diminishing vision
Loosening of the teeth when the infection spreads to the jaw bone
Loss of sensation in the cheek
Swelling of the face if it spreads to the skin – a rare condition
When it spreads to the brain, the body part controlled by that part of a particular brain area will be affected.
3. Fulminant Sinusitis Symptoms
In the initial stages, symptoms are
Nose block
Severe nose pain
Severe tooth pain
Severe eye pain
Later the symptoms are
nasal discharge
Double vision
Deterioration of eyesight
Swelling of the eye, nose, or cheek
Watering of the eye
redness of the eye
If you closely observe, invasive and fulminant have similar symptoms, but the timeline of symptoms makes it easy for a doctor to differentiate them. Fulminant invasive fungal sinusitis can reach the brain within weeks and kill a person, whereas invasive spreads slowly and will take years to kill a person.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Does sinusitis affect the eyes?
Yes, sinusitis can affect the eyes.
As mentioned above, rare symptoms of sinusitis include watery eyes and red eyes.
Apart from these symptoms, acute sinusitis and "acute on chronic" sinusitis can result in rare complications with the eyes called orbital cellulitis and orbital abscess.
This complication can result in
pain in the eye
swelling in the eye
loss of vision
restriction in eye movement
damage of the optic nerve
To know more about complications, you can read our article.
How will I know if I have sinusitis?
If you suspect you have sinusitis, look out for key symptoms such as a runny nose, facial pain, headaches, nasal congestion, thick mucus discharge, cough, sore throat, and the frequent need to clear your throat. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it's recommended to consult a healthcare provider for a definitive diagnosis.
What triggers sinus headaches?
Sinus headaches are triggered when fluid accumulates in the sinuses, which are normally air-filled cavities. This fluid buildup increases pressure and causes pain. Even if fluid is absent, a blocked sinus can lead to headaches as the air inside is absorbed, creating negative pressure.