If a person has had a cold that returns or gets worse after 7 days (called double sickening), s/he may be experiencing a sinus infection rather than a cold or other upper respiratory infection.

Symptoms of sinusitis
Pain and pressure in the face in combination with a stuffy or runny nose are the main symptoms of sinusitis. Leaning forward or moving the head can often increase facial pain and pressure. The location of pain and tenderness is usually dependent on which sinus is affected. When the frontal sinus is affected, pain occurs right above the eyebrows. When the ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinus cavities are affected, pain occurs between the eyes, and during maxillar sinus problems, pain occurs in the cheeks and can usually imitate a tooth ache.

A yellow or greenish discharge from the nose may also develop during sinusitis. Symptoms of sinusitis in children include coughing, nasal discharge. These symptoms in children usually last more than 7 to 10 days. They are usually accompanied with complaints of headache and facial pain. Additional symptoms of sinusitis include:

• bad breath
• cough as a result of pus or mucus drainage
• facial pain
• fever
• green nasal discharge
• headache
• localized pain or pressure
• reduced sense of taste or smell
• tooth pain
• yellow nasal discharge

When to seek help
Watchful waiting is appropriate for a person with symptoms of an early sinus infection. An early sinus infection can often be treated at home provided that a person is in good health. It is recommended that you call a doctor if sinusitis problems do not improve after a few days of home treatment and if you exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• fever of 101°F or higher
• headache that is not relieved by ingesting acetaminophen or aspirin
• nasal discharge that starts out clear and becomes thick and/or discolored (yellow or green)
• pain that starts at the bridge of the nose and extends to the lower eyelid
• pain occurring in the face or upper teeth
• recurrent nosebleeds

You should also call a doctor if:

• cold symptoms last longer than 10 days and/or worsen after the first 7 days
• you are taking antibiotics for a sinus infection and do not feel any better after 3 to 5 days
• you experience mild or chronic pain in the face that lasts longer than a month, has changed, or has not been checked by a doctor

Because the symptoms of sinusitis can be mistaken for other conditions it is recommended that a person to consult their doctor for an accurate diagnosis. But where does diagnosis begin? And which doctor should you see first? Read here to learn how to diagnose sinusitis in the diagnosing sinus pain section now.