Symptoms of a sinus infection are more pronounced than just sniffles or sneezing. Do you feel congested in your head and headachy? You may be suffering from a sinus infection. Sinus infections are prevalent and can often be treated with home remedies.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a sinus infection:
- Headache
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Postnasal drip
- Facial pain
A sinus infection is a common ailment that can be preempted by allergies, colds, or flu. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor to get relief.
What is Sinusitis & Types of Sinusitis
Inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses is known as sinusitis. Sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of your forehead, cheekbones, and the area between your eyes. They produce mucus, which maintains the moisture level inside your nose. This, in turn, helps provide defense against pollutants, allergies, and dust.
A runny, stuffy nose and face pain is typical cold-like symptoms of acute sinusitis. It could begin suddenly and last for two to four weeks. The specific duration of subacute sinusitis is 4 to 12 weeks. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis can persist for at least a year. You can experience these symptoms several times a year, as recurrent sinusitis returns. All of the sinuses in your head, not just the usual one or two, are affected by pansinusitis (sinus infection). (WebMD)
Symptoms of Pediatric Sinusitis
Children with sinusitis (rhinosinusitis) may not exhibit the same symptoms as adults with sinusitis. Children are more likely to develop a cough, poor breath, irritability, low energy, puffiness around the eyes, and a post-nasal or nasal drip that is thick and yellow-green in color. Your child’s sinuses do not fully develop until late in the teen years. Despite their tiny size, the maxillary (behind the cheek) and ethmoid (between the eyes) sinuses are present from birth. Like sinusitis in adults, juvenile sinusitis can be challenging to diagnose because the symptoms might also be brought on by other conditions, like an allergy or viral disease.
The following signs of a sinus infection in your child include an illness that lasts longer than 10 to 14 days, low-grade fever or even a severe fever, nasal drainage that is thick and lasts for at least three days in a row, post-nasal drip, which can occasionally accompany a sore throat, a cough, poor breath, nausea, or vomiting. Typically in children aged six or older, sinusitius is also accompanied by headache, irritation or exhaustion, and inflammation around the eyes. (ENT Health)
Symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis
Signs and symptoms that could last for 12 weeks or longer are facial heaviness or congestion feeling, a nasal occlusion or obstruction, pus in the nasal cavity, and the flu. A stuffy nose or postnasal drainage that has color. You can also experience dental pain, foul breath, and headaches. You can be exhausted. Numerous factors might bring on these symptoms. To determine whether you have chronic sinusitis, you need to see your physician.
When to See a Doctor for Sinus Infection
You should seek medical care if:
- You’ve experienced sinusitis previously and the condition hasn’t responded to treatment
- Your sinusitis symptoms linger longer than ten days
If your symptoms don’t get better or if you have a fever, redness or swelling around your eyes, a terrible headache, forehead enlargement, confusion, additional vision changes, such as double vision, or a rigid neck, emergency medical assessment and treatment is required. (Mayo Clinic)
Emergency Care for Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a challenging disease to diagnose and treat, particularly in children. It can be incredibly painful and debilitating. If sinusitis symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days, it is vital to seek medical care. Treatment options for sinusitis may vary depending on the severity and duration of the condition but can include prescription medications, sinus washing, over the counter remedies, and lifestyle changes. An emergency room visit can get your diagnosed, out of pain and on your way to wellness quickly. Our board certified ER doctors can see you in less than 10 minutes and we are open 24/7 to serve you.
Works Cited
“Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): Symptoms, Causes, Duration, & Treatment.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/allergies/sinusitis-and-sinus-infection.
“Pediatric Sinusitis.” ENT Health, 12 Dec. 2022, www.enthealth.org/conditions/pediatric-sinusitis/.
“Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): Symptoms, Causes, Duration, & Treatment.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/allergies/sinusitis-and-sinus-infection.
