Health encyclopaedia

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Symptoms of Sinusitis

The sinuses most commonly affected are:

• the cheekbones (maxillary),
• the forehead (frontal), and
• the parts of the skull near the eye sockets (ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses).

The condition can be acute (meaning it develops quickly and lasts a short time) or chronic (when symptoms recur or are permanently present).

Sinusitis can be painful and uncomfortable, with symptoms usually similar to those of a cold or flu-like illness, including

• headache,
• pain and tenderness around infected area, particularly when moving your head or coughing,
• a thick, pus-like nasal discharge,
• nasal congestion,
• loss of taste and smell,
• a fever,
• bad breath, and
• dental pain.

Facial pain and headaches are rare in younger children; however, if you notice that your child is breathing through their mouth and has a cough, feeding difficulties and hyponasal speech (speaking through their nose), it may mean they have sinusitis. See your GP or contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

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