Is it a Sinus Infection Symptom?
By Brian Benjamin Carter, MSci, LAc

Sinus "aching" pain or pressure is the chief sinus infection symptom. This pain or pressure can be located in various places- the infection sits in specific sinuses.

• If it's in the frontal sinuses, one sinus infection symptom will be a frontal headache, a headache in the forehead area.
• If it's in the maxillary sinuses, your sinus infection symptom will be pain along the upper teeth and cheekbones.
• If the infection centers in the ethmoidal sinuses, you'll get pain behind the eyes as the chief sinus infection symptom.
• If the sinus infection sits in the sphenoid sinuses, you may get a generalized pain that goes to the top of your head.

Sinus infection symptom pain can get worse:

• By bending forward
• In late morning
• When you chew

More nose-related sinus infection symptoms:

• Another sinus infection symptom is what is called foul nasal discharge. That means it contains pus, may be green, and smells nasty.
• Postnasal discharge is yet another sinus infection symptom. This is when the mucus from the sinuses drains down the back of your throat.
• Sinusitis (another name for sinus infection) can also lead to a decreased, or loss of, sense of smell.
• Another sinus infection symptom is bad breath.
• Snoring can result from sinusitis.
• If your sinuses are totally plugged, you may be forced to breathe through your mouth only.
• Nasal sounding speech can be another sinus infection symptom - hold your nose and speak to see what that sounds like.

General sinus infection symptoms:

Along with sinusitis, you can get fatigue, and/or fever. Of course, there are many other causes for these symptoms, but they are normal with sinus infections.

Next is a list of red flag symptoms- these are not sinus infection symptoms, but may signal something more serious. Get to a doctor ASAP.

• High Fever
• Problems with your sight
• Orbital swelling or bruising
• Changes in your consciousness, awareness, or perception