What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the air cavities inside the skull (sinuses), usually due to a virus or a bacterial infection. Acute sinusitis is often caused by the common cold virus and normally goes away on its own in less than 4 weeks. Viral sinusitis is one of the most common reasons for improper prescription of antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis lasts for longer than 8 weeks and affects up to 12% of the general population.^[1]