Risk factors

You may be at increased risk of getting sinusitis if you have:

• Hay fever or another allergic condition that affects your sinuses
• A common cold that affects your sinuses
• A nasal passage abnormality, such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or tumors
• A medical condition such as cystic fibrosis or an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS
• Exposure to smoke, either from smoking or through secondhand smoke exposure