1. Evaluate Your Cough
Fungal sinus infections show the same symptoms as those that are caused by bacteria or viruses. Acute infections come on quickly, and chronic ones recur. Chronic sufferers may drift in and out of good health. If you notice a cough developing, try to pinpoint its origin. If it seems to be related to fluid draining down the back of your throat, your cough may be a symptom of a fungal or other type of sinus infection. Unlike the dry scratchiness of a simple sore throat, sinusitis may cause you to cough up yellow or green phlegm. If it feels as though it is coming from deep within the lungs, which may ache or burn, it is probably a lower-respiratory disorder, such as bronchitis.
2. Blow Your Nose
Obstructed breathing through the nose is a symptom of sinusitis. A sinus infection creates an inflammation in the airways that the body tries to address. At first, you may find yourself blowing your nose continually, as an irritant stimulates mucus production. Check for discharge. If mucus is no longer clear and thin but opaque and discolored, you are showing signs of sinusitis. As the condition progresses, thick mucus will clog the sinuses, restricting drainage and causing congestion.
3. Examine Your Head
This unusual stress and pressure on the sinuses inevitably creates pain. Inflamed passages are clogged with bacteria-infected mucus. A fever may further increase pressure within the blood vessels. The result can be intense headache or earache pain that throbs. Pain will be associated directly with the various sinus areas, including the forehead, temples and behind the eyes. Tooth or ear pain is less frequent, but common.
Fungal sinus infections can spread to the mucous membrane of the eye or brain. These rare complications usually affect patients with compromised immune systems. If you experience eye or concentration problems along with the above symptoms, you need to see your doctor for further diagnosis.
