Sinusitis due to infection usually comes on after a cold. Secretions from the sinuses cause blockage of the nasal passageways and cough due to postnasal drip. The cough may be severe, followed by gagging and even vomiting. It tends to be worse at night. Sleep may be disturbed, leading to irritability during the daytime.
Many infants nurse poorly and sometimes cough and choke during feeding.
Infections of the ethmoid sinuses cause swelling of the skin around the eye or nose. The flare-ups may be triggered by chilling, swimming, fatigue, weather changes, or contact with allergens. A doctor may choose to culture the mucus. Sometimes an x-ray of the sinuses is made in problem cases. In some stubborn instances, the mucus in the sinus is too thick and must be washed out.