What is a sinus infection?
- Usual cause
- Viruses, often after a cold
- Most get better
- Without antibiotics
- Antibiotics may help if
- Symptoms last 10+ days or worsen again
- Relief
- Saline rinses, nasal steroid sprays, pain relief
Your sinuses are air-filled spaces behind your cheeks, forehead and eyes. When they become inflamed, usually after a cold, mucus can't drain properly and builds up, causing pressure and congestion.
Viruses cause most sinus infections, and they usually get better on their own. Bacteria cause some, typically when symptoms drag on for more than 10 days or get worse after starting to improve.
Sinus infection symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Pain, pressure or fullness in the face, worse when bending forward
- Thick yellow or green nasal drainage
- Stuffy nose and reduced sense of smell
- Postnasal drip and sore throat
- Headache or tooth pain in the upper jaw
- Bad breath, tiredness or mild fever
Get urgent care if you have
These can mean the infection is spreading beyond the sinuses:
- Swelling or redness around the eye
- Vision changes or double vision
- Severe headache, stiff neck or confusion
- High fever
When antibiotics may be needed
Providers look at the pattern of your illness, not just how bad you feel:
| Feature | Likely viral | May be bacterial |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Improving within 10 days | No improvement after 10 days |
| Course | Gradually getting better | Got better, then suddenly worse again |
| Severity | Mild to moderate | High fever with thick drainage or facial pain for 3–4 days |
NoteEven with a bacterial infection, some people improve without antibiotics. Your provider may suggest waiting a few days to see whether symptoms improve before starting treatment.
Treating a sinus infection
Most sinus infections are treated with symptom relief. When antibiotics are needed, your provider chooses the right option for you.
Relief that works
- Saline nasal rinses, using distilled, sterile or previously boiled water
- Steroid nasal sprays to reduce swelling
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and pressure, if they're safe for you
- Warm compresses over your nose and forehead
- Breathe in steam from a shower or bowl of hot water
- Decongestant nasal sprays for no more than 3 days, to avoid rebound congestion
Is an online sinus visit right for you?
Online care is often a good fit if you:
- Have sinus symptoms lasting more than 10 days
- Got better and then worse again
- Want relief advice and to know if antibiotics make sense
Get in-person care if you:
- Have swelling around the eye or vision changes
- Have a severe headache or stiff neck
- Have had several sinus infections in the past year
How PulseCareMD can help
A PulseCareMD visit lets a licensed provider review your symptoms and how long they've lasted, and recommend relief or antibiotics when they're truly needed. Your visit fee covers the consultation.
Describe your symptoms
Tell us when your symptoms started, how they've changed and what you've tried.
A provider reviews it
A licensed provider looks at how long you've been sick to judge whether antibiotics will help. Many visits are reviewed within 2–3 hours.
Get your care plan
Steps to ease pressure, or treatment when it's warranted.
Frequently asked questions
When to get emergency care
Go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Swelling, redness or pain around the eye
- Vision changes
- Severe headache with stiff neck or confusion
- High fever with severe facial pain