What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis, or rhinosinusitis, is a common upper respiratory infection. It is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in the sinuses.

Symptoms

Sinusitis can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• Nasal congestion
• Coloured mucus
• Nasal, facial or dental pain/pressure
• Reduced sense of smell

Causes

Sinusitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria or allergies. It is most often viral, and normally resolves on its own within 10–14 days¹.

Recommendations

According to Canadian guidelines for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis², most mild to moderate cases of sinusitis can be cured without antibiotics and without complications through the use of nasal douching (intranasal corticosteroids). For this reason, it is recommended not to use antibiotics for mild to moderate cases of sinusitis. Instead, you can treat the symptoms with nasal douching, decongestant or analgesic.

Performing nasal irrigation four times per day can help irrigate the sinus cavities and flush out secretions and debris. Many types of saline solutions are available over the counter. Talk to your pharmacist to learn more.

Some medications can also help with the symptoms of sinusitis. For example, decongestants narrow blood vessels in the nose and sinus. This may temporarily alleviate a runny nose and congestion. However, make sure you don't exceed the recommended dosage.

Antibiotics are only recommended if the sinusitis is severe or chronic (symptoms that persist beyond 4 to 8 weeks).

If you have a fever that lasts for more than three days, we recommend that you see a doctor.