How long does a sinus infection last?
Sinus infections can last many days. Viral sinus infections are usually the worst 3 to 6 days after they start, and then begin to get better by day 10. A viral sinus infection can develop into a bacterial infection, which typically lasts longer than 10 days. Once a bacterial sinus infection is diagnosed and treated, patients usually respond to antibiotics in 2-3 days and sinus infections resolve anywhere between 7-14 days after that.
There are three types of sinusitis and they are based on the length of your symptoms:
- Acute Sinusitis - symptoms lasting for less than 4 weeks
- Subacute Sinusitis - symptoms lasting for 4-12 weeks
- Chronic Sinusitis - symptoms lasting for more than 12 weeks
