Sinus Infection

What Is Sinus Infection?

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses, which are hollow air-filled spaces in the bones of your face. This inflammation causes mucus to build up instead of draining properly, leading to congestion and pressure.

Prevalence and Age Distribution

• In the United States, sinusitis is a very common condition:

  • Approximately 12% of the adult population is diagnosed with sinusitis.

  • This translates to about 30 million adults affected annually.

  • Chronic rhinosinusitis alone affects between 5% and 12% of the global population, with U.S. estimates ranging from 12.3% to 14.6%.

  • For adults, acute sinusitis is the fifth most common reason for an antibiotic prescription, though a majority of cases are viral and resolve without antibiotics.

• Sinus infections affect people of all ages, but the patterns of sinusitis and the sinuses involved differ between children and adults.

Common Symptoms

• Facial pain or pressure around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead, which may worsen when you bend over

• Nasal congestion or stuffiness that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose

• Thick, discolored mucus (yellow or green) that drains from your nose or down the back of your throat (post-nasal drip)

• Headache, especially in the front of your head

• Reduced sense of smell and taste

• Cough, which may be worse at night

• Sore throat

• Fatigue

• Bad breath