Sinus Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches

Around 30 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with a sinus infection annually, with most cold sufferers experiencing some viral form of the condition.

Sinus infections occur when factors such as viruses or allergens cause inflammation and mucus buildup in any of the four pairs of sinuses. Illustration by Lumi Liu

Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, occur when fluid accumulates in the sinuses, air-filled cavities within the facial bones surrounding the nose, allowing germs to grow. It almost always involves nasal passage inflammation (rhinitis), leading many doctors to use the term rhinosinusitis.

Sinusitis is a leading reason for antibiotic prescriptions, causing up to 73 million restricted-activity days annually in the United States. Around 12 percent of American adults are diagnosed with sinusitis annually, and approximately 90 percent of cold sufferers experience some form of viral sinusitis.