Quick read
Key points
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Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces behind the nose, forehead, and cheeks, most often triggered by a cold or allergy. It causes facial pain or pressure, a blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of smell, and sometimes a cough that's worse at night.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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Symptoms persist beyond three weeks without improvement
01 · Know
What is Sinusitis (sinus infection)?
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces behind the nose, forehead, and cheeks, most often triggered by a cold or allergy. It causes facial pain or pressure, a blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of smell, and sometimes a cough that's worse at night.
Most cases are caused by viruses and settle within two to three weeks, though a bacterial infection can occasionally develop, particularly if symptoms are severe or persist beyond this.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Self-care advice
See your GP if symptoms are severe, persist beyond three weeks, or you have facial swelling or vision changes.
03 · Act
When to see a doctor
- 1Symptoms persist beyond three weeks without improvement
- 2You develop a high fever, severe facial pain, or swelling around the eyes
- 3Symptoms improve then suddenly worsen again
- 4You have recurrent sinusitis, happening several times a year
- 5You notice vision changes or severe headache alongside sinus symptoms
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take these self-care steps
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
- 1Use saline nasal rinses or sprays.These can help clear mucus and reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
- 2Take pain relief for discomfort.Paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease facial pain and pressure.
- 3Stay hydrated and rest.This supports your body's recovery from the underlying infection.
- 4Avoid smoking and irritants.These can worsen inflammation and slow recovery.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Sinusitis (sinus infection) ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Most sinusitis is caused by a virus and clears up within two to three weeks with simple self-care, without needing antibiotics.
Antibiotics are rarely needed for sinusitis, since most cases are viral and improve on their own with time and simple self-care.