Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
The majority of doctors think that most people do not transmit sinus infections except in rare instances, and conclude that sinus infections are not contagious.
Sinus infections usually begin with the symptoms of a cold (for example, a runny nose, occasional cough and/or mild fever), and then develop into pain and pressure in the sinus cavities. About 7 to 10 days after initial cold-like symptoms other symptoms develop that suggest you may have a sinus infection. Sinus infection symptoms include
a yellowish-greenish nasal discharge that may have an odor,
bad breath,
puffiness around the eyes,
headaches,
pressure in the sinuses, and
coughing.
Sinusitis or sinus infection is inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose.
Sinusitis can be caused by infection, allergies, and chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses.
Most people do not spread sinus infections to other people.
Sinusitis may be classified as acute sinus infection, subacute sinus infection, chronic sinus infection, infected sinusitis, and noninfectious sinusitis.
Sinusitis signs and symptoms include
o sinus headache,
o facial tenderness,
o pressure or pain in the sinuses, in the ears and teeth,
o fever,
o cloudy discolored nasal or postnasal drainage,
o feeling of nasal stuffiness,
o sore throat,
o cough, and
o occasionally facial swelling.
Symptoms of a bacterial sinus infection include
o facial pain,
o pus-like nasal discharge, and
o symptoms that persist for longer than a week and that are not responding to over-the- counter (OTC) nasal medications.
Sinus infection is generally diagnosed based on the patient history and physical examination.
Bacterial sinusitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Early treatment of allergic sinusitis may prevent secondary bacterial sinus infections.
Home remedies for sinusitis and sinus infections include over-the-counter (OTC) medications such asacetaminophen (Tylenol and others), decongestants, and mucolytics.Nasal irrigation can be accomplished with a Neti-pot or rinse kit (nasal bidet).
Rarefungal infections of the sinuses (for example,zygomycosis) are medical emergencies.
Complications of a sinus infection that may develop aremeningitis, brain abscess,osteomyelitis, and orbital cellulitis.
There are no fungal vaccines available to prevent fungal sinus infections.
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