Viral Infections - A viral infection, also known as an upper respiratory infection (cold) can last 7 to 10 days, is the most common cause of sinusitis. It may be caused by hundreds of different strains of viruses. About half of the time, a cold begins with a scratchy or sore throat. Over the next day or two, other symptoms like nasal congestion, a runny nose, and sometimes facial pain or pressure develop. Increased postnasal drainage may also cause a cough. Asthma sufferers may experience a worsening of asthma symptoms after the onset of a cold.
Occasionally, a cold progresses into an acute bacterial sinus infection or persistent chronic sinusitis. If you catch a cold, expect symptoms to improve after five or seven days, and be aware that it may take up to three weeks for thick mucus drainage to resolve.
About 20% of colds in children and about 1 to 2% of colds in adults become complicated by bacterial infection. Because more than 80% of cold patients have sinus swelling that is identical to the swelling seen in bacterial sinusitis, a sinus CT scan will not distinguish between the two conditions.
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