What should you know about viral sinus infection?

A virus can inflame the lining of the sinuses, narrow their drainage openings and make mucus harder to clear. This may cause a blocked nose, facial pain or pressure, reduced smell, post-nasal drip, cough, headache, tiredness and sometimes fever or ear pressure. Symptoms often appear during or after a common cold.

Allergic rhinitis can create similar congestion without an infection. Sinusitis is a broad term for sinus inflammation; a clinician considers the duration, severity and pattern before deciding whether another cause or treatment needs attention.

Drink regularly, rest and use saline nasal spray or a rinse prepared with safe water according to the product instructions. A warm shower or humidified air may feel soothing, although steam can burn if it is very hot. Sleep with your head slightly raised if drainage worsens at night.

A pharmacist can help you choose pain relief or a nasal treatment that suits your age, pregnancy status and other medicines. Avoid using decongestant sprays for longer than the label allows. Antibiotics do not treat a viral infection, and coloured mucus alone does not prove that antibiotics are needed.

Seek urgent help for swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, severe headache with neck stiffness, confusion, or difficulty breathing. Arrange medical review for severe facial pain, symptoms that improve and then clearly worsen, persistent symptoms, repeated episodes, or a high temperature with marked illness.

A clinician may examine your nose, throat, ears and face and ask about the symptom timeline. Mention dental pain, immune problems, pregnancy and any medicines you have tried.

Could this be a viral sinus infection, allergy or another cause? Which nasal treatment is suitable for me? How should I prepare a saline rinse? What changes would suggest a complication or the need for review?