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Sinus infections are usually curable with self-care measures and medical treatment. If you are having recurrent attacks, you should be checked for underlying causes such as nasal polyps or other problems.

Although very rare, complications that may arise include:

• Osteomyelitis -- infection that spreads to the bones in the face
• Meningitis -- infection that spreads to the brain
• Orbital cellulitis -- infection that spreads to the area surrounding the eye
• Abscess
• Blood clot
• The bacteria causing your sinusitis may develop resistance to antibiotics used to treat the infection, which makes it more difficult to find the best treatment

Call your doctor if:

• Your symptoms last longer than 10 - 14 days or you have a cold that gets worse after 7 days.
• You have a severe headache, unrelieved by over-the-counter pain medicine.
• You have a fever.
• You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly.

A green or yellow discharge does not necessarily indicate a sinus infection or the need for antibiotics.