4 Sneaky Signs a Sinus Infection Is Brewing
4 Sneaky Signs a Sinus Infection Is Brewing
You can't breathe, your nose is running, and you feel lousy. Sounds like a cold, right?
Well, it can be—but not so fast. What you think is a cold might actually be a sinus infection. Sinus infections can be sneaky, so people tend to confuse them with a cold or other illness. Part of the problem is that not everyone knows all the subtle ways they can rear their snot-filled heads (Here are 7 signs your cold is actually something worse).
Your sinuses are the cavities that drain into your nose. A sinus infection pops up when a virus, bacteria, or (rarely) fungus gets into the lining of one or more sinuses, says Richard Nass, M.D., a sinus specialist in New York City and clinical associate professor of otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the New York University School of Medicine.
Another reason people often mistake a sinus infection for a cold is because a sinus infection often pops up after a cold. That's because those linings of your sinuses are more vulnerable to infection after a cold, since your sinus openings tend to swell, adds Eric T. Waterman M.D., an otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon in private practice in the Seattle area.
But while colds typically go away within five days, anything that lasts longer than 10 days is more likely a sinus infection. Sinus infections are either acute (lasting around four weeks), subacute (four to 12 weeks), or chronic (12 weeks or more), says Dr. Nass. A chronic infection can occur when an acute or subacute one goes untreated, says Dr. Waterman, and the symptoms are subtler but can lead to fatigue over time, so they’re worth treating.
Here are a few signs you’re dealing with a sinus infection instead of a run-of-the-mill cold.
Sinus infection sign: Pain in the face
Your sinuses are located on your forehead, between your eyes, and below your eyes. So, depending on which sinuses are infected, a sinus infection can cause a feeling of pressure above your cheeks, between your eyes, over your forehead, or even in your upper teeth, says Dr. Waterman.
If your maxillary sinuses, which are located below your cheeks, are infected, it may feel like you have a toothache, says Dr. Nass. If the issue is with your frontal sinuses, it may feel more like a headache.
Related: What It Means If Your Gums Bleed
Sinus infection sign: A runny nose or congestion
Sinus infections prevent the sinuses from draining into the nose, leading to a buildup of mucus in your nose and sinuses. As a result, your nose may drip or need to be blown often, and the mucus that comes out might be thick or discolored, says Dr. Nass.
Related: Why One Nostril Clogs Up More Than the Other
Sinus infection sign: Post-nasal drip
The mucus that builds up in your nose during a sinus infection may drain into the back of your throat, leading to a hoarse voice, sore throat, loss of smell, or cough, says Dr. Nass. You’ll find yourself needing to clear your throat often, and you might cough up that same thick, discolored mucus.
Related: 9 Reasons Your Throat Hurts
Sinus infection sign: Bad breath
The infected mucus dripping into your throat can cause your breath to stink, says Dr. Nass. And since your nose is congested, you may breath through your mouth, which can dry it out, further contributing to bad breath.
Related: 5 Ways to Fix Bad Breath Without a Toothbrush
What to do about a sinus infection
Your runny, stuffed up nose can mean a cold—but these red flags suggest something more serious.