No one's thrilled to get sick, but there's something extra cruddy about a sinus infection. The pain, the pressure, the congestion, ugh! If you're dealing with these symptoms right now, you're probably wondering, how long does a sinus infection last anyway? A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, occurs when the air cavities around your nasal passages become inflamed and blocked with mucus, says Aaron Fletcher, MD , an otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon, and owner of the Georgia Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Facial Plastic Surgery. There are two of these air cavities in your forehead (frontal sinuses), several between your eyes and behind your nose (ethmoid sinuses), and two in your cheeks (maxillary sinuses), adds Glen Porter , MD, an otolaryngologist at Intermountain Health .

The most common cause of a sinus infection is a virus, but they can also be triggered by bacteria, fungi, a foreign object, or environmental factors like allergens, says Clarissa Ortiz , MD, a primary care physician for Inspira Medical Group. Unfortunately, a sinus infection can be pretty unpleasant and typically presents with facial pain or pressure, post-nasal drip, loss of taste or smell , green or yellow nasal discharge, and nasal congestion , Dr. Porter says.

Facial pain may be exacerbated by bending forward or coughing, and some people also experience fever, cough, fatigue, ear pressure, jaw pain , or headaches, Dr. Ortiz adds. But how long are sinus infections contagious? And are sin.