Common symptoms of sinusitis

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 04, 2025
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The symptoms of sinusitis can vary widely, primarily related to the extent of the inflammation and the patient's own immune resistance. It is possible to have no obvious clinical manifestations, mainly in those with good resistance and very mild inflammation. The patient may not experience any significant symptoms, and sinusitis might only be discovered through a sinus CT or a head CT. If the inflammatory response is more noticeable, symptoms may include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headache, dizziness, and a reduction or loss of smell. Some patients might also experience numbness and a feeling of pressure in the face. Diagnosis typically involves a sinus CT or nasopharyngeal examination, as well as direct visual observation of the nasal cavity and an overall assessment of the patient's condition, followed by targeted treatment.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of recurrent sinusitis

The symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are essentially the same as those of sinusitis itself. Symptoms can be divided into local symptoms, which are those of the nasal cavity, as well as some systemic symptoms, because the recurrence of sinusitis often follows a cold that leads to an acute recurrence. The nasal symptoms mainly include nasal discharge, primarily consisting of yellow pus-like mucus. There may also be nasal congestion or a sensation of the nose being blocked, as well as headaches. The location and severity of the headache depend on which sinus is more severely inflamed, which also affects where the headache is felt. Additionally, there may be a disturbance in the sense of smell, which refers to a reduced sensitivity to smells, or a reduced ability to smell or weak sense of smell. Systemic symptoms mainly include lethargy, feelings of headache and weakness, lack of concentration, and a general lack of energy. Overall, the symptoms of recurrent sinusitis are similar to those of initial sinusitis, with most being the same.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can sinusitis cause a fever?

Sinusitis may cause fever, but this is mainly seen in acute sinusitis or during the acute flare-ups of chronic sinusitis, which relatively tends to provoke a fever. If it is just a mild case of sinusitis or plain chronic sinusitis, most patients do not experience significant fever changes, but they might have symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, dizziness, and a decrease in the sense of smell. When experiencing a fever, it is important to visit an otolaryngology department as soon as possible where you might consider undergoing a routine blood test to check the extent of the inflammatory response. Most patients will need to consider antibiotic treatment for the infection. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, there may be a need to consider antipyretic medications. If the fever is below 38.5 degrees, physical cooling measures are generally recommended, but it is necessary to regularly reassess and monitor the temperature, selecting targeted treatments based on the fluctuations of the condition. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should be paid attention to with sinusitis?

The precautions for sinusitis mainly include the following aspects: First, it is important to determine the degree and type of sinusitis. Currently, sinusitis is primarily classified into two main types: fungal sinusitis and bacterial sinusitis. It is recommended to assess the severity of the inflammation. For mild inflammation, conservative treatment is generally considered. For severe inflammation or fungal sinusitis, surgery may be necessary. Second, it is important to take precautions in daily life to avoid exacerbating sinusitis, especially by avoiding colds and opting for a lighter diet. Third, monitor the recovery of sinusitis in daily life and check for any possible complications. Therefore, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) clinic regularly for follow-up.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does sinusitis affect the eyes?

Sinusitis is a relatively common otorhinolaryngological disease. A small percentage of patients may experience effects on their eyes, leading to decreased vision, orbital abscesses, eye swelling and pain, or visual field defects. There is significant individual variation in clinical symptoms. After the onset of the disease, it is necessary to visit the otorhinolaryngology and ophthalmology departments to assess the severity of the condition. In terms of treatment, some patients may opt for conservative medical treatment. However, for others with more severe conditions where conservative medical treatment proves ineffective, surgical treatment should be considered, followed by regular follow-up exams to observe the outcomes of the surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can sinusitis turn into cancer?

Sinusitis, commonly referred to as sinus inflammation, mainly involves the mucosal membrane of the sinus cavity or the sinus itself. In the clinical course of the disease, we have not observed sinusitis or secondary sinusitis directly transforming into a malignant tumor, nor have we seen or observed the carcinogenic process. Clinically or pathologically, there is no evidence of this. However, we have observed malignant tumors of the sinuses, such as maxillary sinus cancer or ethmoid sinus cancer. It is found that 80% to 85% of these patients have sinus inflammation. Therefore, we speculate that sinusitis may be evolving into sinus cancer, or inflammation may play a role in the process of sinus cancer. In summary, there is no direct evidence that secondary sinusitis leads to cancer, but in diagnosing sinus cancer, the presence of sinus inflammation has been observed.