Sinusitis can be acute or chronic. Acute sinusitis usually occurs after an allergic, irritant, or infectionous episode. Stuffy or runny nose is common. Post nasal drip may also occur which triggers a cough, usually worse at night. The infection may be accompanied by fever.
Acute sinusitis is treated with antibiotics and decongestants.
Antihistamines are not usually used as they tend to dry up the secretions and make them sticky. It is then hard for the sticky mucus to be cleared from the sinuses. Chronic sinusitis occurs when the sinuses remain infected for long periods of time or reoccurs numerous times during the year. The symptoms are not as intense as acute sinusitis, but the long term effects can be serious. Any chronic infection can cause general malaise and loss of energy.