The constant cold can be frustrating. You can expect your nose to become less clogged, stressed, and tired after a few days. However, weeks later, you’re still feeling congested, tired, and confused.
For many people, these symptoms are dismissed as the tail end of a stubborn virus or a winter worm. But in some cases, persistent congestion can signal a completely different story — especially during the colder months.
Sinusitis, sometimes called a sinus infection, is a common illness that usually occurs after a cold or flu. Because its symptoms overlap with everyday winter illnesses, many people don’t realize they’re dealing with the disease and instead are slowly recovering.
Here are some little-known signs to look out for, and when to seek advice.
Why Sinus Symptoms Often Persist in Winter
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses (the air-filled spaces behind the cheeks, eyes, and forehead), often caused by an infection that causes sinus blockage and mucus retention.
Niamh McMillan, superdrug’s superintendent pharmacist, told Yahoo UK: “Sinusitis tends to worsen in the colder months due to inflammation caused by dry air, infections and weather.”
Often mistaken for a lingering cold, sinusitis can cause symptoms other than nasal congestion and may persist after the initial infection clears. But what other symptoms are there to watch out for?
6 major symptoms of sinusitis to pay attention to
1. Persistent facial pain or pressure
This is one of the most common and misunderstood symptoms of sinusitis.
“One of the main symptoms of sinusitis is pain or pressure around the face, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead,” explains MacMillan.
What often causes confusion is Where Pain arises.
It also affects:
“Many people don’t realize that the discomfort can also extend to their upper teeth or ears, which can lead to confusion about the root cause of their pain,” notes MacMillan.
Facial pressure around the eyes and cheeks is a common symptom of sinusitis.
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2. Bad breath
People don’t usually first associate bad breath with sinus problems, but it can be a key clue.
“Chronic sinusitis can lead to bad breath, and oral hygiene doesn’t improve the condition,” says McMillan.
The cause is internal and not dental. She explains that this is often due to “mucus buildup and bacterial growth in the sinuses, which can produce an unpleasant odor.”
If brushing, flossing, and gargling don’t work, sinus inflammation may be the cause.
3. Changes in smell or taste
Sinus infections can interfere with the senses, but people don’t always associate them with nasal congestion.
“A sinus infection can affect your ability to smell or taste, often making food less enjoyable,” says MacMillan.
“Many people mistake this for a lingering cold symptom, but it may indicate inflammation or blockage of the nasal passages from sinusitis.”
Fatigue and brain fog are common with ongoing sinus inflammation.
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4. Fatigue and brain fog
Sinusitis affects far more than just your nose and sinuses.
“Sinusitis affects more than just your nose; it can leave you feeling drained,” explains MacMillan.
When the body is dealing with ongoing infection and inflammation, daily tasks can be more difficult than usual. “As the body battles an ongoing infection, fatigue and difficulty concentrating are common, making it more difficult to perform daily tasks.”
Even when congestion begins to ease, this feeling of fatigue often lingers.
5. A persistent “wet” cough
Not all coughs originate in the chest or lungs.
“While dry coughs are often associated with viral infections, sinusitis may cause a wet or mucus-filled cough, especially at night,” says MacMillan.
This happens because mucus drains from the sinuses into the throat (a process called postnasal drip), which can “irritate the airways” and trigger a cough, especially when lying down.
She recommends using cough syrup first to help relieve your cough.
6. Mild hearing loss or ear tightness
Sinus inflammation doesn’t stop at the nose.
“Inflammation from sinusitis can block the Eustachian tubes that connect the ears to the throat, causing a feeling of fullness in the ears and even temporary hearing loss,” explains MacMillan.
As the swelling subsides, ear congestion related to congestion will ease. Swallowing, yawning, or using a saline spray can help, while decongestant sprays are only for short-term use. If ear fullness persists for more than a few weeks or affects your hearing, seek advice from your pharmacist or GP.
When to ask for help
If you have any of these six symptoms for more than 10 days, or find that your symptoms worsen after initial improvement, it may be time to seek advice from your GP.
Untreated sinusitis can lead to complications, including chronic infection and even more serious conditions like orbital cellulitis (an infection around the eyes).
