Sinus Infection - Medtick

Sinus Infection

What is it?

It is a defence mechanism to prevent and/or to remove anything foreign or unknown into one’s body via nose.

If untreated it can lead to:

  • Long term condition with one having flare ups.
  • An infection
  • If one has a runny nose for less than 12 weeks it is known as acute rhino sinusitis.
  • If one has a runny or congested nose longer than 12 weeks it is known as chronic rhino sinusitis.

  • Cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (eye infection) are common in viral cold and flu infection.
  • Nasal congestion can result in a dry mouth especially in the morning.
  • Short term viral nasal infection typically has symptom resolves within 10 days, with a peak at 3-6 days.
If symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if it does not improve and worsen within 10 days, acute bacterial nasal infection is more likely (not always).
If one feels one has a bacterial infection, one would normally have other symptoms other than sinus pain, please talk to a healthcare professional for further advice and/or treatment
  • If antibiotics have not helped , then a fungal infection should be considered, a swab test should be preformed.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

Long term infections due to:

  • Repeated viral infections
  • Fungal infection:
    • Alternaria
    • Cladosporium,
    • Aspergillus
    • Penicillium
    • Fusarium
    • Paracoccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic to South and Central America, most commonly Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela
    • Damp and mould (Mucormycosis)
  • Irritants
  • Air conditioning
  • Occupations such as laboratory worker, manufacturing worker, woodworker, furniture maker, and mortician exposed to toxins and/or fibres
  • Allergies including allergic rhinitis (Allergic to i.e. dust mites, animal dander, moulds, cockroaches)
  • Asthma
  • Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)- long term Heartburn (which then can lead to: pneumonitis – asthma symptoms and /or cracking sound in lungs  and/or tiredness and/or finger clubbing)
  • Smoking and second hand smoke
  • High levels of air pollution
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Deviated septum (the structure that divides the nasal passage into two sides)
  • Enlarged adenoids
  • Enlarged turbinates (structures that warm the air in your nose)
  • Nasal polyps and/or other bony abnormalities that may prevent the sinuses from draining.
  • Cleidocranial dysplasia
  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia

Syndromes

Medication

  • Aspirin

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Runny nose, congestion, loss of smell and/or cold not cleared by over the counter medication or greater than three weeks (review on day 10 and if symptoms are worsening)?
  • Pain radiating from jaw and mistaken for toothache?
  • Pain at worst when moving head forward/lying down/swimming/flying (facial pain or pressure)?
  • Pain at worst at morning and easier throughout day?
  • Tender sinuses and/or hurts when touched?
  • Yellow, green, rusty, bloody colour phlegm?
  • Facial swelling?
  • Changes in smells and taste?
  • Ear pressure and/or ear pain?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for ambulance if have or develop:

  • Aneurysm
  • Meningitis
  • Brain disease infection type symptoms
  • Mucormycosis
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Confusion
  • Excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking up
  • Stiff neck
  • Vision impairment or blindness
  • Bulging eyes
  • Nasal hematoma – a collection of blood within the septum of the nose. The septum is the part of the nose between the nostrils.
    • Causes include:
    • Symptoms include:
      • Painful swelling of the nasal septum
      • Change in the shape of the nose
      • Fever
      • Blockage in breathing
      • Nasal congestion
      • This can be to develop septal abscess and/or untreated septal hematoma may lead to a hole in the area separating the nostrils, called a septal perforation. and/or the area may collapse, leading to a deformity of the outer nose called a saddle nose deformity.

Conditions to beware of:

If one has this condition , please see your medical doctor on the same day, if not possible go to hospital and seek urgent medical treatment
  • Rare condition include fungal sinusitis, this generally occurs in persons  who have a weak immune system (but can occur in those who healthy immune systems) symptoms include:
    • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
    • Severe Headache which is ‘on and off’ or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
    • Dry Cough and/or breathing difficulties (normally longer than three weeks)?
    • Nosebleed?
    • Thick green and sometimes rust coloured mucus?
    • Eye symptoms (swelling, vision changes)?
    • Swelling around forehead?
    • Confusion and/or drowsiness?
  • CHARGE syndrome

If one has chronic sinusitis, this condition can lead to:

  • Paranasal sinus mucocele – a  non-cancerous growth  and put pressure on the sinuses and nearby structures. It may not be resolved by antibiotics or corticosteroids because it has formed a wall around itself. It may need to be drained surgically.
  • Nasal polyps
  • Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma

One should always:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Sinus Infection in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).