Acute sinusitis is characterized by symptoms such as nasal discharge, facial pain or pressure, and a dry cough, that persists less than 6 - 8 weeks. Patients sometimes mistake it for a cold of longer than normal duration (7 to 10 days), which may prevent them from seeking medical help and obtaining appropriate treatment. In patients with acute sinusitis who do seek medical attention, symptoms often are resolved by medical therapy.

Diagnosis

In general, physicians diagnose acute sinusitis based on patient history and physical findings. The major signs and symptoms present in acute sinusitis are:

• Purulent nasal discharge
• nasal congestion/obstruction
• non-productive dry cough
• pain and/or tenderness over any of the sinuses

Treatment

The primary goals of treatment of acute sinusitis are to cure the patient, break the cycle, and minimize the likelihood of recurrence. To halt progression to chronic sinusitis, early and aggressive treatment is recommended. Although viruses can be present in acute sinusitis, the disease is most often treated as a bacterial infection.