Symptoms of Sinus Infections

Sinus Infections (sinusitis) occur when the sinuses or nasal passages become inflamed. Sinusitis can progress into two stages: acute and chronic. These stages have distinctive signs and symptoms and can increase with fungal, viral and, in rare cases, bacterial infections. Acute sinusitis symptoms typically last up to eight weeks, but chronic sinusitis symptoms can last longer. Sinusitis is most often curable, but in rare cases, meningitis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), orbital cellulitis (infection around the eye) or abscess can occur.

Causes

• Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull, lined with mucus membranes. If sinuses are blocked, germs and bacteria grow easily to cause mucus build-up, which can cause sinusitis. Sinusitis can occur from a deviated nasal septum, a cold, improper function of the cilia (Kartagener or immotile cilia syndrome), pollutants (irritants or airborne chemicals) or a weak immune system.

  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute viral sinusitis is usually contracted after an upper-respiratory infection. However, chronic sinusitis can be fungal, bacterial or viral. Allergies, respiratory-tract infections, tumors or nasal polyps are the most common causes of chronic sinusitis.

  Various symptoms can indicate the presence of a sinus infection.

Symptoms

• According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, sinusitis is sometimes never properly diagnosed and treated because most symptoms are similar to common colds or allergies.

  Symptoms of acute sinusitis are different in adults and children. In adults, certain symptoms follow a common cold that worsens after five to seven days. A headache, fever, sore throat, postnasal drip, cough, bad breath or loss of smell, fatigue, nasal discharge and congestion are also classic symptoms in adult sinusitis.

  In children, three days of dark nasal discharge with high fever, nasal discharge for more than 10 days and respiratory illness or cold that worsens after signs of improvement are common symptoms.

  Acute and chronic sinusitis has similar symptoms, but symptoms last longer with chronic sinusitis.

Treatment

• When sinusitis is bacterial (chronic), antibiotics may be an effective form of treatment. However antibiotics are not an effective form of treatment, if infection is acute (viral or caused by irritants). Over-the-counter medications can be used for treatment of acute sinusitis.
  Other treatments include drinking fluids to thin the mucus, inhaling steam two to four times per day, applying a moist, warm cloth to the nasal area several times per day and using a humidifier. Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays may also be used to reduce swelling in nasal cavities.

Prevention

• A good way to prevent sinusitis is to wash your hands often, reduce stress, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and other chemicals to boost your immune system. Quickly treat colds, flu and allergies. Increase moisture in your body by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid smoke, pollutants and decongestants should be taken during an upper respiratory infection. Avoiding close contact with people with upper respiratory infections, colds or flu can also prevent sinusitis.

Warning

• A medical professional should be consulted if symptoms last longer than 10 days. Symptoms still present after properly taking antibiotics, a high fever, severe headaches or multiple occurrences of sinusitis within a year are also warning signs to contact your health-care provider.