Prevalence of sinusitis

Sinusitis is a common condition, affecting approximately 30% of the population at some point. Sinusitis can occur in infants and children, but is more common in adults as sinuses are undeveloped in infants and start forming during childhood. The average adult has 3-4 upper respiratory infections each year, about 1% of which are complicated by sinusitis. In addition to sinusitis associated with viral respiratory infections, many more people suffer inflammation of the sinuses because of seasonal allergic problems.

Reviewed by Dr Harris Steinman MBChB. (UCT), D.CH (SA), FAAAAI, D.Av.Med.(SAMS), Private specialist at FACTS (Food & Allergy Consulting & Testing Services), February 2015.

(Previously updated by Dr H Steinman, June 2007)