You may have a sinus infection (sinusitis) if you experience the following symptoms, especially if they last more than 7 to 10 days or worsen after initially improving:
- Nasal congestion or stuffy nose that makes it hard to breathe through your nose
- Thick, colored nasal discharge (yellow, green, or cloudy), sometimes with traces of blood
- Facial pain, pressure, or tenderness around your cheeks, eyes, forehead, or nose, which may worsen when bending over or lying down
- Reduced sense of smell or taste
- Headache, often worse when lying down
- Post-nasal drip causing sore throat and cough
- Fatigue
- Low-grade fever (less common)
- Bad breath
- Pain or dull ache in the upper jaw or teeth
- Ear pain or pressure
You should consider seeing a healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe, worsening, last more than 10 days without improvement, or if you have frequent sinus infections. Also seek urgent care if you experience severe headaches, swelling around the eyes or face, vision changes, high fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, or confusion, as these could indicate serious complications
. A healthcare provider can diagnose sinusitis by examining your ears, nose, and throat for swelling, drainage, or blockage. They may use tools like an endoscope to look inside your nose or order imaging tests such as a CT scan if complications are suspected. Sometimes nasal or sinus cultures, allergy tests, or blood tests may be done to identify the cause
. In summary, if you have persistent nasal congestion, facial pain/pressure, thick nasal discharge, and symptoms lasting over a week without improvement, you likely have a sinus infection and should consider medical evaluation for appropriate treatment
