What Happens During a Sinus Infection?

Millions of people every year suffer from sinus infections. A sinus infection starts when the tissues lining the sinuses become irritated and swollen. Your sinuses normally contain air and allow mucus to drain through small openings into the nose. During an infection, those openings can narrow or close. Mucus then collects inside the sinus cavities instead of draining normally. That buildup can lead to pressure, congestion, and pain around the face. If you have ever wondered why a sinus infection feels different from a regular stuffy nose, the changes happening inside the sinuses help explain it. Read on to learn more.

What Happens Inside the Sinuses?

The lining of the sinuses produces mucus, while tiny hair-like structures called cilia help move that mucus toward drainage openings. When infection or inflammation causes the tissue to swell, normal drainage becomes harder. Mucus starts to collect inside the sinus cavity, allowing the virus or bacteria to continue to multiply in the trapped fluid, making the inflammation worse. When the mucus backs up, it causes pressure close to the forehead, cheeks, eyes, and upper teeth.

Why Does Your Face Hurt?

The location of the discomfort often depends on which sinuses have become inflamed. Pressure across the forehead can occur when the frontal sinuses are affected. Problems in the maxillary sinuses, which sit behind the cheeks, may cause cheek pain or aching in the upper teeth. Some sinus infections create discomfort deeper behind or between the eyes.

What Other Symptoms Can Develop?

Congestion and thick nasal drainage are common during a sinus infection. Some people also notice a reduced sense of smell. Other symptoms may develop as mucus drains down the back of the throat. This can contribute to coughing, particularly at night. Ear pressure, sore throat, bad breath, fatigue, and fever can also occur.

Is the Infection Viral or Bacterial?

Many sinus infections begin with a virus, often after a cold. These cases commonly improve within about seven to ten days. A bacterial infection becomes more likely when symptoms continue beyond ten days without improving. Another pattern involves feeling better for a short period and then becoming noticeably worse again.

How Does the Infection Usually Progress?

Acute sinus infections last less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis happens when the infections continue beyond twelve weeks and may involve ongoing inflammation rather than a single active infection. Repeated infections can also occur when something keeps interfering with normal drainage. Allergies, nasal polyps, or structural problems inside the nose may contribute.

Know When Symptoms Need Attention

Understanding what happens inside the sinuses can make the symptoms easier to recognize and help you know when recovery is moving normally. Most sinus infections gradually improve, but symptoms that continue or worsen deserve medical attention. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms last longer than ten days or improve and then return more strongly. Seek urgent care for severe signs such as swelling around an eye, changes in vision, confusion, a stiff neck, or a very high fever.

Related Article: What Causes Sinus Infections?