Print OverviewAcute sinusitis causes the spaces inside the nose, known as sinuses, to become inflamed and swollen. Acute sinusitis makes it hard for the sinuses to drain. Mucus builds up. Acute sinusitis can make it hard to breathe through the nose. The area around the eyes and the face might feel swollen. There might be throbbing face pain or a headache. The common cold is the usual cause of acute sinusitis. Most often, the condition clears up within a week to 10 days unless there's also an infection caused by bacteria, called a bacterial infection. Home remedies might be all that's needed to treat acute sinusitis. Sinusitis that lasts more than 12 weeks even with medical treatment is called chronic sinusitis.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookAllergy and Sinus Solutions from Mayo Clinic StoreAssortment of Health Products from Mayo Clinic StoreNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsAcute sinusitis symptoms often include: Thick, yellow or greenish mucus from the nose, known as a runny nose, or down the back of the throat, known as postnasal drip. Blocked or stuffy nose, known as congestion. This makes it hard to breathe through the nose. Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that gets worse when bending over. Other signs and symptoms include: Ear pressure. Headache. Aching in the teeth. Changed sense of smell. Cough. Bad breath. Tiredness. Fever. When to see a doctorMost people with acute sinusitis don't need to see a health care provider. Contact your health care provider if you have any of the following: Symptoms that last more than a week. Symptoms that get worse after seeming to get better. A fever that lasts. A history of repeated or chronic sinusitis. See a health care provider immediately if you have symptoms that might mean a serious infection: Pain, swelling or redness around the eyes. High fever. Confusion. Double vision or other vision changes. Stiff neck. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Causes Healthy sinuses Enlarge image Close Healthy sinuses Healthy sinuses Sinuses are cavities around nasal passages. If the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, a person may develop sinusitis. Acute sinusitis Enlarge image Close Acute sinusitis Acute sinusitis Acute sinusitis is most often caused by the common cold. Signs and symptoms may include a blocked and stuffy (congested) nose, which may block your sinuses and prevent drainage of mucus. Acute sinusitis is an infection caused by a virus. The common cold is most often the cause. Sometimes, sinuses that are blocked for a time might get a bacterial infection.More InformationSinus infection and toothache: Any connection? Risk factorsThe following can raise the risk of getting sinusitis: Hay fever or another allergy that affects the sinuses. A common cold that affects the sinuses. A problem inside the nose, such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or tumors. A medical condition such as cystic fibrosis or an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS. Being around smoke, either from smoking or being around others who smoke, known as secondhand smoke. ComplicationsAcute sinusitis doesn't often cause complications. Complications that might happen include: Chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis can be a flare-up of a long-term problem known as chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis lasts longer than 12 weeks. Meningitis. This infection affects the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord. Other infections. It's not common. But an infection can spread to the bones, known as osteomyelitis, or to skin, known as cellulitis. Vision problems. If the infection spreads to the eye socket, it can reduce vision or cause blindness. PreventionTake these steps to help lower your risk of getting acute sinusitis: Stay well. Try to stay away from people who have colds or other infections. Wash your hands often with soap and water, such as before meals. Manage allergies. Work with your health care provider to keep symptoms under control. Avoid cigarette smoke and polluted air. Tobacco smoke and other pollutants can irritate lungs and inside the nose, known as nasal passages. Use a machine that adds moisture to the air, known as a humidifier. If the air in your home is dry, adding moisture to the air may help prevent sinusitis. Be sure the humidifier stays clean and free of mold with regular, complete cleaning. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Aug. 29, 2023 Print Show references Ferri FF. Sinusitis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 2, 2023. Sinusitis (sinus infection or sinus inflammation). American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-symptoms/sinusitis-sinus-infection/. Accessed Feb. 2, 2023. Patel ZM, et al. Acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate/com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 2, 2023. AskMayoExpert. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Mayo Clinic; 2022. Bennett JE, et al. Sinusitis. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 2, 2023. Sinus infection. American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/sinus-infection/. Accessed Feb. 2, 2023. Sinus infection (sinusitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sinus-infection.html. Accessed Feb. 2, 2023. Elderflower. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Feb. 2, 2023. Related Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help? Sinus infection and toothache: Any connection? 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry