What is a sinus infection?
There is always a small amount of bacteria and/or fungus in the sinuses and nasal passages. Depending on the type of bacteria or fungus, an individual’s overall health and ability to fight infection, an individual’s sinus anatomy, and other factors, bacteria or fungus may cause significant inflammation within the sinus passages and continue to grow within them. Inflamed sinuses create more mucus, which may become trapped within the swollen sinus passages. As the mucus drainage pathways swell shut or the body’s ability to clear the mucus from the inflamed sinuses becomes impaired, pus may remain in the sinuses, creating further inflammation and tissue swelling. Typical symptoms of a sinus infection include congestion (pressure or heaviness in the sinus areas), difficulty breathing through the nose, fatigue or a feeling of being generally ill, cough, soreness in the very back of the nose or throat, and increased nasal secretions or drainage, which is usually discolored (white, green, yel
