What to Look For
Symptoms of sinusitis may be very similar to those of colds or allergies. This chart will help you compare the differences. If you suffer from three or more symptoms of sinusitis, you should see your doctor. Chronic sinusitis, if left untreated, may lead to permanent damage to the sinus tissues.

SIGN/SYMPTOM	SINUSITIS	ALLERGY	COLD
Facial Pressure / Pain	Yes	Sometimes	Sometimes
Duration of Illness	Over 10-14 days	Varies	Under 10 days
Nasal Discharge	Thick, yellow-green	Clear, thin, watery	Thick, whitish or thin
Fever	Sometimes	No	Sometimes
Headache	Sometimes	Sometimes	Sometimes
Pain in Upper Teeth	Sometimes	No	No
Bad Breath	Sometimes	No	No
Coughing	Sometimes	Sometimes	Yes
Nasal Congestion	Yes	Sometimes	Yes
Sneezing	No	Sometimes	Yes

Source: American Association of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery