What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis, also called a sinus infection, is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses — the air-filled spaces within the bones of the face and skull, around the nose, cheeks and forehead. When this lining becomes inflamed and swollen, often after a cold, the sinuses can become blocked and fill with mucus, causing the characteristic pain, pressure and congestion. It is a very common condition.
Most sinusitis is acute, meaning it comes on after a cold or other viral infection and clears up within a few weeks. Less commonly, sinusitis can be longer-lasting (chronic), persisting for many weeks or recurring. The vast majority of acute sinusitis is caused by viruses, like the colds that often precede it, which is why antibiotics — which only work against bacteria — are usually not needed and not helpful for most cases.
Symptoms
Sinusitis symptoms centre on the nose and face, and often follow on from a cold that does not fully clear. Common symptoms include:
- •Pain, pressure or tenderness in the face, around the cheeks, eyes or forehead
- •A blocked or stuffy nose
- •A runny nose, sometimes with thick or discoloured mucus
- •A reduced sense of smell
- •Pain that may feel worse when bending forward
- •A headache, or pressure that feels like a headache
- •Sometimes a cough, sore throat, or a high temperature
Causes
Sinusitis develops when the sinuses become inflamed and blocked, preventing normal drainage of mucus. Several things can cause or contribute to this, with viral infections being by far the most common trigger. Causes and contributing factors include:
- •A cold or other viral infection (the most common cause)
- •Less commonly, a bacterial infection developing after a viral one
- •Allergies, such as hay fever, causing inflammation and congestion
- •Nasal polyps or a deviated septum affecting drainage
- •Irritants such as smoke
- •Dental infections, occasionally, affecting nearby sinuses
Treatment and relief
Because most sinusitis is viral, it usually clears up on its own within two to three weeks, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms while the body recovers. Helpful self-care measures include resting and drinking plenty of fluids, using painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever, and applying warm compresses to the face to ease pressure. Steam inhalation and keeping the air from being too dry can help loosen congestion.
Salt water nasal rinses or sprays can help clear and soothe the nasal passages, and a pharmacist can advise on decongestants and other remedies for short-term relief. Antibiotics are usually not needed, as most sinusitis is viral, but a doctor may consider them in specific situations — for example, if symptoms are severe, persist beyond a couple of weeks without improving, or there are signs pointing to a bacterial infection. For longer-lasting or recurrent sinusitis, a doctor can advise on further treatment and whether any underlying cause needs addressing.
Chronic and recurrent sinusitis
While most sinusitis is acute and short-lived, some people experience chronic sinusitis, where symptoms persist for many weeks (often defined as twelve weeks or more), or recurrent sinusitis, where infections keep coming back. These are different from a one-off sinus infection after a cold and are more likely to have an underlying contributing factor worth identifying and addressing.
Factors that can contribute to chronic or recurrent sinusitis include ongoing allergies, nasal polyps, a deviated septum or other structural issues affecting sinus drainage, and irritants. Management focuses both on relieving symptoms and on addressing these underlying factors — for example, treating allergies effectively, using regular salt water rinses, and, in some cases, specific medical or surgical treatments that a doctor or specialist can advise on.
If you have sinus symptoms that persist for many weeks, keep returning, or significantly affect your quality of life, it is worth seeing a doctor rather than repeatedly managing flare-ups alone. They can assess for underlying causes, recommend appropriate treatment, and refer to a specialist if needed. While chronic sinusitis can be frustrating, identifying and addressing what drives it often makes a real difference.