Sinus infection, more commonly known as sinusitis is the swelling of the lining of the nose and sinuses. The correct medical term for the condition is Rhinosinusitis. When the nasal cavities (air-filled cavities) that lie at the back of the eyebrow, behind the cheekbone and between the eyes become infected and inflamed it is known as a sinus infection. These air cavities or sinusitis are lined with a mucous membrane which filters and humidifies the air that is inhaled. Sinus infections are more often caused due to a virus, sometimes due to bacterial germs and in rare cases due to fungus (molds). An allergy can also cause a chronic or seasonal sinus infection. Asthma has been linked to a chronic sinus infection. People with asthma and nasal inflammation tend to develop chronic sinusitis that is not caused by infection.

Acute sinus infection lasts for a short time and is usually part of a cold or other respiratory illness. Chronic sinus infections last longer and continue to recur. Before the inflammation sets in, there is usually a blockage of the sinus. Chronic sinusitis is the most common chronic illness in the United States. It affects 15% of the population according to the American Rhinologic Society.

Both cold and allergies cause congestion and a running nose. But sinus infections would typically cause a feeling of pressure and an aching sensation not only in the face but in the ears and teeth also. People who have a weak immune system tend to frequently develop a bacterial or fungal sinus infection.

Though sinusitis has similar symptoms to a common cold or allergy, it also has some other symptoms which help to identify the illness. Such symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion
• Frontal headache
• Tenderness of the face (under the eye and the bridge of the nose)
• Greenish nasal discharge
• Post nasal drip
• Pain in the teeth
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Cough
• Bad breath

Frequent symptoms of sinusitis are classified on the period and duration of the symptom such as:

• Acute sinusitis: Symptoms for a period of lesser than 4 weeks,
• Subacute sinusitis:  Symptoms for 4-12 weeks.
• Chronic sinusitis: Symptoms of 12 weeks or more. This is often mistaken for allergies.
• Recurrent sinusitis:  When there are 4 or more cycles of sinus infection in a year lasting for about 7 days each time.

Sinus infections are treated with the help of antibiotics. Since the sinuses are adjacent to important organs like the eye and brain, the bacterial infection has a small chance of spreading to these areas. It is ideal to seek medical intervention when the signs and symptoms such as the following occur:

• Swelling or redness around the eye and eyelids
• Difficulty in opening the eye
• Protruding eyeball
• Changes in vision
• Severe headache in the front of the head
• Stiff neck
• Fever above 101 degrees
• Excessive sleepiness
• Confusion

Usually, a sinus infection will dissolve in about 10 days or lesser without the need for treatment or prescription. If the symptoms are present for close to a fortnight and the symptoms do not improve, it is time to see a physician and get professional assistance.