Sinusitis Symptoms

Updated on 10/14/09

Sinusitis may feel like a cold that just won't go away. Symptoms often include:

• pressure and pain in the area of the affected sinus, which may get worse when you lean forward
• nasal congestion
• postnasal drip
• cough
• sore throat and thick nasal drainage
• worsening symptoms after 5 to 7 days
• fever

Symptoms may vary depending on which sinuses are affected. Some can cause upper jaw and teeth pain; some can make you lose your sense of smell. Usually, though, you can't tell from the symptoms which sinuses are affected.

If you have chronic sinusitis, which is not necessarily associated with a bacterial infection, you may experience recurrent or continuing symptoms that do not respond to treatment. These symptoms are more subtle than those of acute sinusitis and generally do not include fever. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis may vary greatly and last for months or years if untreated.