Common symptoms
- Blocked or stuffy nose
- Thick nasal discharge, sometimes discoloured
- Pain, pressure or fullness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead
- Reduced sense of smell
- Mucus running down the back of the throat, and cough
Common causes
- Viral infections such as the common cold (most common)
- Bacterial infection, in some cases
- Allergies and ongoing nasal inflammation
- Nasal polyps or structural narrowing inside the nose
When to see an ENT specialist
- Symptoms last more than 10 days, or improve and then get worse again
- Sinusitis keeps coming back
- Symptoms have lasted for 12 weeks or more
- Symptoms mostly affect one side, or come with bloody discharge
Seek urgent medical care if
- Swelling or redness around the eye, or changes in vision
- Severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion or a very high fever
How it is usually assessed
An ENT specialist will usually ask about your symptoms and examine the inside of the nose, sometimes with a thin camera (nasal endoscopy). In some cases a CT scan may be suggested.
General management
Management depends on the cause and how long symptoms have lasted. It may include saline rinses, nasal sprays or other medicines prescribed by a doctor. For long-standing sinusitis that does not respond to treatment, surgery may be discussed.
This page provides general information only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not describe the specific services of any doctor. Please consult a doctor about your own situation.