Two factors play a role here; which sinuses are affected and whether the infection is acute or chronic.

The symptoms include:

Acute ethmoid sinusitis (behind the eyes)

• Nasal congestion with yellow or greenish discharge or mucus drips down the throat behind the nose
• Pain or pressure around the inner corner of the eye or one side of the nose
• Fever
• Headache in the temple or surrounding the eye
• Coughing, straining or lying on the back increases the pain or pressure. It is better if you sit

Acute maxillary sinusitis (behind the cheek bones)

• Tender, red or swollen cheekbone
• Pain across the cheek bone, around or under the eye or around the upper teeth
• Nasal discharge or postnasal drip
• Pain or pressure on one side or both
• Pain and pressure increase when the head is upright or bending forward
• Fever

Acute frontal sinusitis (behind the forehead, one or both sides)

• Fever
• Nasal discharge or postnatal drip
• Severe headache in the forehead
• Pain is worse when reclining and better with head upright

Acute sphenoid sinusitis (behind the eyes)

• Deep headache with pain across the forehead, behind and on top of the head and behind the eye
• Pain increases when lying on the back or bending forward
• Nasal discharge or postnatal drip
• Vision disturbances or double vision
• Fever

Chronic ethmoid sinusitis

• Chronic sore throat
• Bad breath
• Chronic nasal discharge, obstruction and some discomfort across the bridge of the nose
• Pain increases in the late morning or when wearing glasses

Chronic maxillary sinusitis

• Chronic toothache
• Pressure or discomfort below the eyes
• Pain increases with cold, flu or allergies
• Discomfort throughout the day with increased cough at night

Chronic frontal sinusitis

• Damage to the sinus are
• Continuous mild headache in the forehead

Chronic sphenoid sinusitis

• Mild headache

Stuffy nose and reduced sense of taste or smell are common symptoms of all types of sinusitis.