Can You Get a Fever With a Sinus Infection?
Medically reviewed by Sameena Zahoor, MD
A sinus infection can, but does not always, cause a fever along with other symptoms. Fevers are more likely with bacterial sinus infections than with viral ones.
This article will discuss how high a fever can be with a sinus infection, what else could be causing a fever, how to break a sinus infection fever, and what to do if the fever won't go down.
How High Is a Sinus Infection Fever?
A fever is a body temperature that is greater than 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C). How high the fever goes can vary. While rare, a bacterial sinus infection in children can cause a sudden, high fever.
Is Fever a Sign of a Sinus Infection, or Something Else?
Fever can be a symptom of nearly any infection, including:
Respiratory infections (such as cold or flu)
Ear infections
Bronchitis
Pneumonia (lung infection)
Urinary tract infections
Viral or bacterial gastroenteritis
Cellulitis (skin infection)
Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
Appendicitis
To determine if it is a sinus infection, it's important to look at symptoms in addition to fever. In adults, symptoms of an acute (lasting less than four weeks) sinus infection often come after a cold that does not improve (or gets worse) after seven to 10 days.
Symptoms of an acute sinus infection in adults may include:
Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
Postnasal drip
Nasal discharge (may be yellowish or greenish)
Frontal headache
Fever
Facial tenderness and/or pressure, especially the bridge of the nose, behind the eyes, or under the eyes (may feel worse when leaning forward)
Fatigue
Teeth pain/toothache
Cough (often worse at night)
Bad breath
Loss of smell
Generally feeling unwell
Sore throat (can be from postnasal drip)
Upper jaw pain
Ear pressure or fullness
Sinus Infections in Children
Symptoms of a sinus infection in children may include:
A respiratory illness (like a cold) that was getting better, then begins to get worse
High fever and darkened nasal discharge for three days or more
Nasal discharge (may or may not have a cough) for more than 10 days and is not improving
A new onset of fever that starts many days into an illness (about seven to 10 days after cold symptoms begin) or after the cold symptoms get better
Bad breath
Nausea or loss of appetite
Pain or pressure in the face, ears, teeth, or throat
Headache or pain behind the eyes (in teenagers, not younger children)
Less commonly than after a cold or illness, a bacterial sinus infection that starts suddenly, with a high fever and nasal congestion lasting three to four days, and the child looks very ill
Viral vs. Bacterial Infection
The type of sinus infection also matters. Viral and bacterial sinus infections can have similar symptoms, but bacterial sinus infections are more likely to cause:
Fever
Yellow/green discharge
Pain around the nose
Symptoms that last longer than 10 days without improvement
Symptoms that are getting better, then suddenly get worse
It is important to note that symptoms that indicate a possible infection, such as symptoms getting better then worse, do not necessarily mean you have a sinus infection. This can also mean the presence of another infection, such as an ear infection or pneumonia. If you think you have any type of infection, see your healthcare provider.
How to Break a Sinus Infection Fever
If the fever is mild and not causing problems, you don't necessarily need to break it. Drinking fluids and resting may be all the fever treatment you need.
Lowering a fever may be helpful if you or your child is uncomfortable, not sleeping well, vomiting, and/or dehydrated.
Medication is typically the most effective way to reduce a fever. Important things to note when taking fever-reducing medication, or giving it to a child, include:
Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) can be used in adults and children over 6 months of age.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) can also help.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may advise you to use both ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These medications have different doses and dosing schedules, so be sure to keep careful track of what was given when.
Follow the directions carefully, and know your child's weight so you can give an accurate dosage.
Aspirin may be taken by adults, but never give aspirin to children or teenagers.
Don't give medication to babies 3 months of age or younger without first checking with their healthcare provider.
Other ways to help manage a fever include:
Remove excess clothing and blankets: Go with a lightweight layer of clothing and a lightweight blanket, if needed, for sleep. If there is shivering, add lightweight layers until the shivering stops.
A lukewarm bath or sponge bath: Should be cool, not cold. Don't use cold water, ice, or alcohol rubs. Note that if medication has not been given, the temperature can go back up again afterward.
Drink plenty of fluids: Get enough liquids, such as water, Popsicles, and soup. Do not give younger children sports drinks or too much fruit juice. It is OK to eat, but don't force it if you or your child don't feel up to it.
Antibiotics: If prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed and finish the whole course, even if the fever and/or other symptoms improve before the medication is finished.
Medication-Free Ways to Treat Sinus Infection Symptoms
Some ways to help manage symptoms of a sinus infection without taking medication include:
Use nasal rinses, such as a Neti Pot, or a saline squeeze bottle, to help clear out thickened secretions from your nasal passages.
Drink lots of fluids to help thin out mucus.
Apply a warm, moist washcloth on your face several times per day.
Use a humidifier.
Use saline nasal spray several times per day.
Inhale steam two to four times daily (try sitting in the room with a hot shower running).
Sinus Infection Fever Not Going Down
If the fever isn't going down, or there are other factors present, medical care may be needed.
Call 911 if the child or adult:
Is not moving or is too weak to stand
Is having severe trouble breathing, struggling for each breath, and/or can barely speak or cry
May have a life-threatening emergency
Seek immediate medical attention if there is:
A persistent, high fever (over 102 degrees F/38.8 degrees C)
Sudden, severe pain in the head or face
Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
Difficulty seeing or double vision
A fever over 104 degrees F/40 degreesC
Trouble breathing that is not severe and doesn't clear up after cleaning out the nose
Severe headache, especially if it is getting worse or not helped by over-the-counter pain medication
Severe pain that does not improve after applying care advice
A child who looks or acts very sick
An urgent problem that needs attention
See a healthcare provider within 24 hours if:
The fever lasts longer than three days.
The fever returns after it has been gone for more than 24 hours.
A headache lasts longer than 24 hours.
Sinus pain (not just pressure) occurs with fever.
There is a need to be seen, but it is not urgent.
Contact the healthcare provider during office hours if there is:
Sinus pain, not just fullness or pressure, and it lasts longer than 24 hours, even after using nasal washes
Sinus congestion and fullness lasting longer than 14 days
Thick yellow or green pus draining from the nose, which does not get better with nasal washes
Nasal discharge lasting longer than 14 days
A cold that gets worse after seven days or symptoms that last longer than 10 to 14 days
A persistence of symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics as directed
Anything else you are concerned about
Are Antibiotics Given for a Sinus Infection?
Antibiotics are only used for bacterial infections and are not effective against viral or fungal infections.
If you have a bacterial sinus infection, you may or may not be prescribed antibiotics. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you wait to see if the infection clears on its own and may only prescribe antibiotics if the symptoms persist past seven to 10 days.
Antibiotics may be prescribed sooner with certain circumstances, such as:
Fever higher than 102.2 degrees F (39 degrees C)
A child who has nasal discharge (possibly with a cough) that does not improve after two to three weeks
Severe swelling around the eyes
Headache or face pain
Summary
A fever can accompany almost any infection, including a sinus infection. Additional symptoms of a sinus infection include nasal congestion and discharge, pressure and/or pain in the face, headache, cough, and bad breath.
A bacterial sinus infection is more likely than a viral one to cause symptoms such as fever, symptoms that last longer than 10 days, and symptoms that start to get better but then suddenly get worse.
Over-the-counter fever reducers are an effective way to reduce your temperature. Other ways to manage fever include wearing light layers, taking lukewarm baths or sponge baths, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking all of your antibiotics as directed if you are prescribed them.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if serious symptoms occur with your sinus infection, such as fever with a stiff neck, a persistent or very high fever, trouble breathing, vision problems, confusion or trouble thinking, redness or swelling around one or both eyes, or anything else that requires urgent care.
