3 Ways to Identify Acute Sinusitis Symptoms

1. Take Your Temperature

Differentiating a sinus infection from a cold or the flu is the best way to "do the right thing" in getting well. Acute sinusitis comes on rapidly, as opposed to chronic or milder respiratory conditions. If you notice that you feel warm at the same time that your breathing becomes labored due to increased mucus production, get out the thermometer and check your body temperature. With acute sinusitis, it may be in the high range, up to 104 degrees F. This symptom does not accompany chronic sinusitis cases.

2. Gauge the Extent of Breathing Problems

Your head is alternately stuffy and draining heavily. Do you have a cold, allergy or acute sinusitis? If a fever is present, allergies are probably out. While a cold makes it hard to breathe, a sinus infection creates more noticeable symptoms. Mucus grows thick and drains heavily through the nose or throat. When you blow your nose, you'll notice that normally clear mucus is yellow or green. You may also cough up discolored phlegm. Nasal congestion that is painful is another warning sign.

3. Locate Pain Symptoms

Often with a cold or flu, a patient will feel generalized body aches. Sinusitis pain is quite different, both in quality and in location. Inflamed mucous membranes cause the body to fight back, so that more mucus must be contained in less space within swollen sinus cavities. This can cause localized pain that is easy to identify.
A sinus headache is often characterized by throbbing pain behind the eyes and at the temples. Cheeks, jaws and teeth may ache sharply. Sinuses near the ears may also seem to pulse with pain.
Inflamed membranes in the throat may itch, and coughing up phlegm can make the throat very sore. While some of these areas may be affected mildly by a cold, all of these moderate or severe aches are signs of acute sinusitis.