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What are the Most Common Symptoms of a Nasal Infection?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

The most common symptoms of a nasal infection include drainage, nasal congestion, headache, and fever. In addition, the patient might experience a bad taste in his mouth, and feel extreme pressure over the eyes and above the cheekbones. Nasal infections, also known as sinus infections, are commonly a result of a lingering cold. Sometimes when a cold begins to resolve, the individual will notice a worsening in congestion and a thickening of nasal secretions. When nasal secretions become dark and viscous, he may have a nasal infection.

Generally, in addition to nasal symptoms, the patient often feels profoundly ill and unable to fully carry-out his activities of daily living. The act of bending over or stooping to pick up an object becomes almost unbearable. Sometimes, when bending over, the patient with a sinus infection will experience excruciating pain to either the front or back of his head. This is usually caused by pressure and congestion in the frontal, nasal, and occiptal sinus cavities. When these symptoms of a nasal infection are present, antibiotic therapy is often recommended. Although the common cold is a viral infection and typically not responsive to antibiotics, sinus infections are bacterial and usually respond.

Headaches are a symptom of a nasal infection.
Headaches are a symptom of a nasal infection.

Other, more severe symptoms of a nasal infection can include extremely sensitive or painful ears, ruptured eardrum, and toothache. Commonly, when a sinus infection is present, it causes mouth tissues to swell, exerting pressure on the teeth and surrounding structures, causing a toothache. Many times, a person suffering from a sinus infection will go to the dentist, erroneously thinking that he has a cavity or tooth infection, when in actuality, these are symptoms of a nasal infection. When this is the case, dental x-rays will frequently yield negative results. Often, the dentist will still prescribe antibiotics, reasoning that the patient has an infected tooth, which will subsequently relieve nasal symptoms.

Drainage can be a symptom of a nasal infection.
Drainage can be a symptom of a nasal infection.

Typically, loss of taste or strange changes in taste are also symptoms of a nasal infection. The patient will frequently complain that he cannot taste his food, or that he has a metallic taste in his mouth. After the infection is resolved, normal taste functions will generally resume. Coughing and sore throat are also symptoms of a nasal infection, especially as the sinuses begin to drain. As the irritating mucous drips down the back of the throat, patients often complain of coughing and irritation of the throat.

Discussion Comments

Talentryto

Every time I get a sinus or nasal infection, I get a severe headache and a fever. Everyone is different, so the symptoms they experience are often different, too.

Heavanet

Some people who get nasal infections loose their abilities to taste foods altogether. Anyone who experiences this symptom should seek medical attention as soon as possible to get medication so the infection doesn't get worse.

Though it may take several days for patients to be able to taste food again, antibiotics usually work on these types of infections pretty quickly.

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    • Headaches are a symptom of a nasal infection.
      By: Picture-Factory
      Headaches are a symptom of a nasal infection.
    • Drainage can be a symptom of a nasal infection.
      By: leungchopan
      Drainage can be a symptom of a nasal infection.
    • Sinus drainage from a nasal infection can cause a sore throat.
      By: absolutimages
      Sinus drainage from a nasal infection can cause a sore throat.
    • Fever and fatigue may be indicative of a nasal infection.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Fever and fatigue may be indicative of a nasal infection.
    • Sinus infections may cause toothache.
      By: Lsantilli
      Sinus infections may cause toothache.
    • Steam and other home remedies may help alleviate a toothache triggered by a sinus infection.
      By: Eléonore H
      Steam and other home remedies may help alleviate a toothache triggered by a sinus infection.