Asthma and Respiratory Care
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
UC Davis Sinus Center offers care for acute and chronic sinus infections (sinusitis). We can help you feel better and prevent future infections.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Sep. 27, 2024.
Sinus Infection Treatments in Northern California
Experts at the UC Davis Sinus Center provide advanced treatments to ease sinusitis symptoms and get rid of the infection. We also partner with you to lower future sinus infection risk. You receive expert care from ear, nose and throat specialists (otolaryngologists) specializing in sinus issues.
On this page
What Is a Sinus Infection (Sinusitis, Rhinosinusitis)?
Your sinuses are hollow spaces on each side of your nose that make mucus. Colds and other infections can inflame (swell) sinus tissue, keeping mucus from draining. Bacteria can grow in this blocked mucus, causing a sinus infection. Sinusitis and rhinosinusitis are other names for a sinus infection.
There are different types of sinus infections:
- Acute sinus infection: This temporary swelling of the sinuses lasts three to eight weeks.
- Chronic sinus infection: Symptoms last more than 12 weeks or infections occur more than three times yearly.
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis) Symptoms
A sinus infection causes cold-like symptoms. But cold symptoms tend to be less severe than sinus infections. Colds also clear up within 10 days, while a sinus infection can linger.
Common Symptoms
Signs of a sinus infection include:
- Bad breath
- Cough
- Ear pain or pressure
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain or pressure around your nose, eyes and forehead
- Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down your throat)
- Runny or stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Sore throat
Sinus Infection Causes and Risk Factors
Sinus infections occur when viruses, bacteria or other germs inflame the tissue that lines your sinuses. As your sinuses swell, your body continues to make mucus. A buildup of mucus inside the swollen, narrowed sinuses allows bacteria to grow, causing a sinus infection.
Colds and other viral infections cause most sinus infections. Bacterial infections can also lead to sinusitis. In rare instances, a fungal infection can affect the sinuses.
Several factors may increase your risk of a sinus infection.
Allergies and Asthma
Seasonal allergies and asthma can cause you to make more mucus, increasing the risk of sinusitis.
Nasal Blockages
Structural changes inside your nose can allow mucus to build up inside the sinuses. These changes include nasal polyps (growths inside your nose or sinuses) and deviated septum (off-centered cartilage between the nasal cavities).
Smoking
Smoking, as well as exposure to secondhand smoke, can irritate the nasal passages and sinuses.
Weak Immune System
Certain autoimmune diseases, as well as treatments that weaken the immune system, can make you more prone to sinus infections.
Diagnosing Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)
Colds, migraines and other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection. Our sinus experts review your symptoms and medical history. They also perform a detailed physical examination.
For an accurate sinusitis diagnosis, your provider may recommend one or more of these tests:
- Nasal endoscopy: Your provider inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end (endoscope) into your nose to view inside your nasal passages and sinuses.
- CT scan: A CT scan of your head can show sinus swelling and structural changes inside the nose that increase infection risk.
- Mucus culture (nasal swab): Your provider swabs the inside of your nose with a soft-tipped stick to collect a fluid sample. A lab expert tests this sample for germs that cause sinus infections.
- Biopsy: In rare instances, your provider may remove a small piece of sinus tissue during a nasal endoscopy. A lab expert tests the sample to determine the cause of the infection.
Sinus Infection Treatments
The UC Davis Sinus Center offers a full range of sinusitis treatments, including medications and surgery. Our specialists also recommend steps to prevent chronic sinus infections.
Antibiotics
Antibiotic drugs are most helpful for chronic bacterial sinus infections. Your provider may suggest waiting two to three days before taking antibiotics to lower the risk of antibiotic resistance. Sinusitis improves without antibiotics in many instances.
Decongestants and Antihistamines
Over-the-counter decongestants in liquids, pills or nasal sprays can ease nasal and sinus swelling. Antihistamines are effective for allergy-induced nasal swelling.
Mucolytics
This over-the-counter medication makes mucus thinner and less sticky, so it drains easier.
Nasal Irrigation or Steam
Rinsing your nasal passages with warm salt water can help drain your sinuses. You can also inhale steam from a shower or warm mist vaporizer.
Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays that contain corticosteroids ease sinus inflammation and swelling.
Oral Steroids
Prescription oral steroids can reduce sinus swelling.
Sinus Surgery
Some people need surgery to remove nasal polyps, fix a deviated septum or open blocked sinuses. Our ear, nose and throat doctors perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The procedure takes place inside the nose, so there are no incisions in your skin.
Preventing Sinus Infections
These steps can lower your risk of developing a sinus infection.
Manage Allergies and Asthma
Take allergy and asthma medications or get allergy shots as your provider prescribes.
Prevent Colds, Flu and Other Respiratory Infections
You can prevent infections that lead to sinusitis by regularly washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, wearing a face mask and getting vaccines.
Rinse Your Sinuses
Regular use of nasal saline rinses or sprays can thin mucus, helping with drainage.
Stop Smoking and Avoid Secondhand Smoke
Nonsmokers prone to sinus infections should take steps to avoid secondhand smoke. Our Stop Tobacco Program provides the tools you or your loved ones need to quit tobacco and nicotine products.
“Sinus Infection,” American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/sinus-infection/
“Sinusitis (Sinus Infection or Sinus Inflammation),” Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-symptoms/sinusitis-sinus-infection/
“Sinus Infection (Sinusitis),” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sinus-infection.html
Sinus infections affect
31MAmericans every year
American spend
$1BYearly on over-the-counter sinusitis medications
Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Sinus Infection
Request an Appointment
As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.
Referring Physicians
To refer a patient, you can submit an electronic referral form or call.
Patients
For questions and appointment information
Consumer Resource Center
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
Latest Internal Medicine News
