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Patient/Public Education: Fast Facts
Sinusitis
Key Facts:
- Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. In its acute form, it is almost always caused by a viral or bacterial infection. In its chronic or persistent form, the cause is less clear, although viruses, bacteria or fungi may play a role.
- Patients with chronic sinusitis have ongoing inflammation of the sinus membranes. In addition to infection (viral or bacterial), the symptoms of sinusitis may be triggered in some patients by exposure to noxious chemicals, cigarette smoke, air pollution or allergens.
- Acute sinusitis usually begins suddenly, often a few days after a common "cold."
- Symptoms of acute sinusitis include: thick nasal or postnasal drainage, discomfort in the cheeks, forehead or around the eyes, nasal congestions, cough, headache and slight fever.
- A diagnosis of chronic sinusitis is made when sinusitis symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks despite medical treatment.
Statistics:
- Sinusitis develops in approximately 31 million Americans each year.
- Chronic sinusitis affects nearly 35 million people in the United States.
- People suffering from sinusitis miss an average of four days of work each year.
- There are more than 18 million office visits to primary care physicians resulting in a diagnosis of sinusitis annually.
- In 1996, overall health care expenditures attributable to sinusitis in the United States were estimated to be over $5.8 billion.
Additional Resources:
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