What is the most common symptom associated with a sinus infection upon examination?

The most common symptom associated with a sinus infection upon examination is tenderness. When examining a patient with sinusitis, palpation of the sinus areas can elicit tenderness due to the inflammation and swelling of the sinus mucosa. This tenderness is typically felt over the affected sinus regions, such as the maxillary or frontal sinuses, and serves as a key clinical indicator of sinus infection.

Tenderness suggests an inflammatory response and may also correlate with other symptoms such as pain or pressure in the sinus regions. While other findings like redness, swelling, and discharge can be present, tenderness is often the most directly assessed symptom during a physical examination. It provides a quick and effective means for clinicians to evaluate the presence and severity of sinusitis, guiding further diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.

Redness may indicate localized inflammation, swelling can be a consequence of the infection, and discharge might be an indicator of the type of sinusitis (acute vs. chronic), but tenderness remains a primary examination finding that closely relates to the acute inflammatory process in sinusitis.