Sinus conditions, such as sinusitis, can produce postnasal drip. This drip sometimes feels like a tickle in the back of your throat, and drainage can lead to chronic cough. This tickle happens when the amount of draining mucus is more than usual.
COVID-19 produces a dry cough without mucus, while a sinus infection produces a wet cough with mucus. COVID-19 and a sinus infection can both cause shortness of breath, though, with a sinus infection, this symptom is usually only present in severe cases.
Having a deep, phlegmy cough is common in people with sinus infections. You might also be coughing up mucus, which is known as a “productive” cough.
Mucus from infected sinuses can be yellow or green. Some people get sinusitis with most colds, while others get it rarely.
How long does a cough after a sinus infection last? Most coughs after a sinus infection clear up within a couple of weeks as you continue to feel better and your sinus inflammation resolves, but some people can develop a cough that lasts weeks or even months.
See a doctor if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
In the case of sinusitis, mucus often drains down the back of the throat leading to the dreaded symptom of post-nasal drip which can also make your throat sore and cause a persistent cough. If you develop bronchitis, mucus collects in swollen bronchial tubes which makes you cough -- a lot.
Imaging studies — a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test can show any complications in the structure of the nose that is causing your sinusitis. Nasal and sinus cultures — if your condition is worsening, a culture can determine the cause of the infection.
Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
Sinus conditions, such as sinusitis, can produce postnasal drip. This drip sometimes feels like a tickle in the back of your throat, and drainage can lead to chronic cough.
Cough. A cough may also be a symptom of a sinus infection. As mucus drips down into your throat, it can trigger a cough. Coughing up phlegm should be a sign that this condition is more than a common cold.
Having a phlemy sounding cough, and coughing up all that mucous (what doctors call a “productive” cough), is a classic sinus infection symptom. (If you feel a heaviness in your chest and rattling when you breathe on top of this, you may have bronchitis.)
If you have a sinus infection, you will have coughing fits at night when you are trying to sleep.
A doctor may diagnose a sinus infection if two out of four primary symptoms are present: Tenderness, pain or swelling in the area around eyes, forehead, cheeks or nose. Thick and discolored postnasal drainage down the back of your throat. Nasal congestion that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose.
Untreated sinusitis allows bacteria and other harmful pathogens to enter the bloodstream and travel all throughout the body, leading to the following potentially life-threatening conditions. Meningitis develops when infection targets the brain or spinal fluid. It requires immediate medical attention.
Head Pain
Pain is a common sign of a sinus infection. Often, you'll experience pain, pressure, or a throbbing sensation on your forehead, in your neck, between your eyes, in your teeth, and upper jaw if you have a sinus infection.
Typically, antibiotics are needed when: Sinus infection symptoms last over a week. Symptoms worsen after starting to get better. Sinusitis symptoms are severe (high fever, skin infection or rash, extreme pain or tenderness around the eyes or nose)
The most common symptoms that indicate a cold has settled in your chest and evolved into acute bronchitis is a cough that lasts 10 to 20 days, as well as a cough that produces mucus that is green, yellow, or clear.
Phlegm is a specific type of mucus that originates in your lungs and throat. It's slightly thicker than the mucus that's produced in your nose and sinuses.
In addition to feeling like mucus is draining down your throat, symptoms of postnasal drip include cough, the urge to clear your throat and hoarseness. Postnasal drip has many causes, including allergies, infections, pregnancy, medications and GERD.
Sinusitis, both acute and chronic, if not adequately treated can lead to bronchitis and sometimes pneumonia. Although it is not the cause for asthma, it can lead to asthma exacerbations.