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The sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull and the face bones around your nose. There are four pairs of sinuses, named for the bones that they’re located in:

The maxillary sinuses are located on each side of your nose, near the cheek bones.The frontal sinuses are located above the eyes, near your forehead.The ethmoid sinuses are located on each side of the bridge of your nose, near your eyes. There are three small pairs of the ethmoid sinuses.The sphenoid sinuses are behind the eyes, deeper into your skull.

These sinuses collectively are called the paranasal sinuses.

The name sinus comes from the Latin word sinus, which means a bay, a curve, or a hollow cavity.

Symptoms of sinusitis

Symptoms of a sinus inflammation are similar to those of a cold:

Depending on which sinuses are infected, you may feel pain or pressure in your forehead, cheeks, ears, or teeth.You may have thick, sticky mucus coming from your nose.Your mucus may be cloudy, or have a greenish-yellow color.Mucus may drip down the back of your throat (postnasal drip), giving you a sore throat and cough.Your nose may be stuffed, restricting your breathing.Your face may feel tender, especially around the eyes.

Other symptoms include:

hoarseness

fever

fatigue

bad breath

decreased sense of smell and taste

A sinus infection can last from 10 days to as long as 8 weeks. This is called an acute sinus infection. 

Sometimes a sinus infection can become chronic, getting better and then worse again, off and on for months.

Chronic sinusitis is medically defined as sinusitis that occurs more than four times a yearTrusted Source. If your sinus infection lasts longer than eight weeks, it’s also usually considered chronic.

Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common chronic conditions.

The symptoms of acute and chronic sinusitis are similar. Fever is less likely, except in severe cases.

Factors involved with chronic sinusitis include:

viral or bacterial infections fungal infectionshay fever or allergies to dust mites, molds, and so onfrequent exposure to cigarette smoke or other airborne pollutants nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or a damaged nasal structuremedical conditions such as asthma, HIV, or cystic fibrosisaspirin sensitivity respiratory tract infections.