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Photo by Brittany Colette on Unsplash You know the symptoms: nasal congestion, facial pressure, pain, fever, too much mucus. Ugh. It’s probably another sinus infection. But is your infection caused by a virus or bacteria — and does it really matter? It does matter. Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infections differently. Here is what you need to know about both kinds of infection and how to treat them. Viral or bacterial? Most sinus infections are viral, and most are caused by the virus that causes the common cold. How can you tell, based on symptoms, whether your infection is viral or bacterial? Normally, you can't. Symptoms like bad breath, yellow or green mucus, fever and headache are not reliable signs of a bacterial infection. They can be present with viral infections, too. Even your doctor can’t tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam. Instead, your doctor looks at symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days. 4 steps you can take Whether your sinus infection turns out to be viral or bacterial, you can help to ease your symptoms early on with supportive care:
If your symptoms aren’t improving after one week, then it may be time to see your doctor. If your doctor suspects a bacterial infection, you’ll probably need to take an antibiotic to clear up the infection and prevent further complications. Note: Antibiotics won’t help a viral infection, and taking an antibiotic unnecessarily can do more harm than good. You risk possible side effects and increase your chances of developing antibiotic resistance, which can make future infections harder to treat. So it’s important to wait and see how long your symptoms last. What to do for chronic sinusitis If you’re suffering from chronic sinusitis (nasal congestion, drainage, facial pain/pressure, and a decreased sense of smell lasting 12 weeks or longer) you should see your doctor. Your doctor will exam you and take a history. That will help to identify potential causes, including allergies and chronic post nasal drip. Sometimes, the doctor may swab your nose to collect mucus. Culturing it in a laboratory will reveal which type of bacteria is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be prescribed. Treat early sinus infection symptoms with rest, hydration and over-the-counter sprays and decongestants. But don’t look for an antibiotic unless your illness extends beyond a week, he says. Then check in with your doctor for a prescription and let him or her know if your condition worsens. A more in depth explanation of SinusitisAcute sinusitis (acute rhinosinusitis) causes the cavities around your nasal passages (sinuses) to become inflamed and swollen. This interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up. With acute sinusitis, it might be difficult to breathe through your nose. The area around your eyes and face might feel swollen, and you might have throbbing facial pain or a headache. Acute sinusitis is mostly caused by the common cold. Unless a bacterial infection develops, most cases resolve within a week to 10 days. In most cases, home remedies are all that's needed to treat acute sinusitis. However, persistent sinusitis can lead to serious infections and other complications. Sinusitis that lasts more than 12 weeks despite medical treatment is called chronic sinusitis. Symptoms
symptoms often include:
Other signs and symptoms can include:
When to see a doctorMost people with acute sinusitis don't need to see a doctor. Contact your doctor if you have any of the following:
Risk factorsYou may be at increased risk of getting sinusitis if you have:
ComplicationsAcute sinusitis complications are uncommon. If they occur, they might include:
PreventionTake these steps to help reduce your risk of getting acute sinusitis:
Check out www.bluefiresupplements.com to learn about natural ways to deal with the pain, stiffness, and pain from arthritis, as well as ways to promote cellular function and health. What happens if you let a sinus infection go untreated?Most sinus infections last from a couple of days to a few weeks and are not a serious medical concern, but if left untreated, sinusitis can lead to further complications. These include nasal polyps, a deviated septum and serious allergies.
What happens if you have a sinus infection and don't take antibiotics?Antibiotics are not needed for many sinus infections. Most sinus infections usually get better on their own without antibiotics. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm. Side effects can range from mild reactions, like a rash, to more serious health problems.
How do you know if a sinus infection is serious?See a doctor immediately if you have the following signs or symptoms, which could indicate a serious infection:. Fever.. Swelling or redness around your eyes.. Severe headache.. Forehead swelling.. Confusion.. Double vision or other vision changes.. Stiff neck.. How long is too long for a sinus infection?Some people with allergies can have “allergic fungal sinus infection.” Acute sinus infection lasts three to eight weeks. A sinus infection lasting longer than eight weeks is considered chronic.
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