Chronic sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis (chronic rhinosinusitis) is inflammation of the sinus linings that lasts 12 weeks or longer, rather than a short “sinus infection” that clears. Typical symptoms include nasal congestion, thick drainage, facial pressure, reduced sense of smell, and postnasal drip. It is not the same as repeated colds, and it is not always an ongoing bacterial infection.
Allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, and other inflammatory problems in the nose can travel with chronic sinusitis or make it harder to clear. Allergists/immunologists evaluate for allergic triggers and for related conditions on this library — allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps.