Signs of Maxillary Sinusitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Contagiousness

The nose has been stuffy for the third week, tea has no taste, and when you bend over the sink, the pain radiates to the cheek and upper teeth. There are usually two paths from here: wait for it to "go away on its own," or wonder whether it is maxillary sinusitis. Let's break down what is happening inside and when it is time to see a doctor.

What maxillary sinusitis is and where the maxillary sinuses are located

The paranasal sinuses are small empty cavities in the bones behind the cheekbones and forehead, connected to the nasal cavity. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. Maxillary sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the maxillary sinus, while sinusitis is the general term for inflammation of the lining of one or more sinuses.

What happens inside: the lining swells, mucus stops draining normally into the nose and throat, and a feeling of fullness and congestion appears. By duration, a distinction is made between acute sinusitis — up to 4 weeks, subacute — from 4 to 12 weeks, chronic — more than 12 weeks, and recurrent, when several attacks occur within a year. Often everything resolves on its own within four weeks.

The first signs of maxillary sinusitis and how it manifests

It usually begins after a cold or flu. The main symptoms are pain, swelling, and tenderness around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead, a stuffy or runny nose, reduced sense of smell, yellow or green mucus, and fever. These are accompanied by headache and toothache, bad breath, cough, ear pressure, snoring at night, and a nasal voice.

What happens inside: the pain is worse when bending the torso forward, it is milder in the morning, increases toward evening, gradually loses its precise location, and spreads across the whole head. With a one-sided process, the pain is on one side.

Symptoms of maxillary sinusitis in adults and in children

In adults with acute maxillary sinusitis, the temperature reaches 38 °C and higher, while with chronic it rarely does. There is weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, disturbed sleep, frequent sneezing, and sore throat.

In children, the signs are different. Maxillary sinusitis can be suspected if, after the runny nose subsides, the temperature rises again after a few days and thick nasal discharge appears. Young children become fussy, eat poorly, and breathe through their mouth. Most often this diagnosis is made in children from 3 to 15 years old.

A separate matter is pain in the back of the head. Pain in the crown, deep in the head, and in the back of the head has been described with inflammation of the sphenoid sinus (sphenoiditis), which is rare and usually caused by the spread of inflammation from the posterior cells of the ethmoid labyrinth.

What causes maxillary sinusitis: viral and bacterial

The cause is infection: viruses or bacteria enter the maxillary sinus through the nasal cavity, with the blood, and most often due to problems in the area of the roots of the upper teeth. Acute sinusitis often starts as a common cold, to which a bacterial infection is then added. Triggers also include allergic rhinitis, polyps, a deviated septum, facial injuries, sinus perforation, and acute respiratory viral infections.

What happens inside: viral sinusitis does not require antibiotics, and acute sinusitis often begins as a cold and can then become bacterial.

Whether maxillary sinusitis is contagious

Maxillary sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus lining, caused by viruses or bacteria, and acute sinusitis often begins as a common cold. Whether the inflammation is transmitted from person to person is best clarified with a doctor.

When symptoms require a visit to the doctor

The diagnosis is made based on symptoms and examination of the nose and face; sometimes imaging is needed — an X-ray or computed tomography of the sinuses. It is time to make an appointment with a doctor if:

• symptoms do not resolve after 7 days of treatment;
• after 3 weeks, no spontaneous improvement has occurred;
• maxillary sinusitis keeps coming back again and again;
• pain and congestion persist only on one side of the face.

By severity, a distinction is made between a mild course with a temperature up to 37.5 °C, moderate — above 37.5 °C, and severe — above 38 °C, with copious purulent discharge and a risk of orbital or intracranial complications. If the person is very unwell, painkillers do not help or the condition worsens, and immunity is weakened (for example, due to chemotherapy), the visit should not be postponed. If maxillary sinusitis does not resolve after 3 months of treatment, constantly returns, or persists on one side, the patient is referred to an ENT specialist.

Maxillary sinusitis by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if, against the background of facial pain and a stuffy nose, the eyelids swell, the eyeball bulges or deviates to the side, or signs of intracranial complications appear.

This material is for reference purposes and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer