Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis include:

• Nasal inflammation
• Thick, discolored discharge from the nose
• Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage)
• Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose
• Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
• Reduced sense of smell and taste

Other signs and symptoms can include:

• Ear pain
• Aching in your upper jaw and teeth
• Cough or throat clearing
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• Fatigue

Chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis have similar signs and symptoms, but acute sinusitis is a temporary infection of the sinuses often associated with a cold. The signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis last at least 12 weeks, but you may have several episodes of acute sinusitis before developing chronic sinusitis. Fever isn't a common sign of chronic sinusitis, but you might have one with acute sinusitis.

• Fever
• Swelling or redness around your eyes
• Severe headache
• Forehead swelling
• Confusion
• Double vision or other vision changes
• Stiff neck

Common causes of chronic sinusitis include:

• Nasal polyps. These tissue growths can block the nasal passages or sinuses.
• Deviated nasal septum. A crooked septum — the wall between the nostrils — may restrict or block sinus passages, making the symptoms of sinusitis worse.
• Other medical conditions. The complications of conditions such as cystic fibrosis, HIV and other immune system-related diseases can lead to nasal blockage.
• Respiratory tract infections. Infections in your respiratory tract — most commonly colds — can inflame and thicken your sinus membranes and block mucus drainage. These infections can be viral, bacterial or fungal.
• Allergies such as hay fever. Inflammation that occurs with allergies can block your sinuses.

You're at increased risk of getting chronic sinusitis if you have:

• A deviated septum
• Nasal polyps
• Asthma
• Aspirin sensitivity
• A dental infection
• An immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS or cystic fibrosis
• Hay fever or another allergic condition
• Regular exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke

Serious complications of chronic sinusitis complications are rare, but may include:

• Vision problems. If your sinus infection spreads to your eye socket, it can cause reduced vision or possibly blindness that can be permanent.
• Infections. Uncommonly, people with chronic sinusitis may develop inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), an infection in the bones, or a serious skin infection.