Sinusitis is a common condition that can leave many feeling dazed and confused. It often starts as a viral infection, typically lasting 7 to 10 days, but can progress to a bacterial infection lasting up to 4 weeks. Chronic sinusitis, where symptoms continue for 12 weeks or more, can be particularly troublesome, with inflammation potentially lasting for months or even years. Various factors can aggravate chronic sinusitis, including common colds, viral infections, and a compromised immune system.
One frequent consequence of allergies is eye puffiness. To explore treatment options, it’s advised to consult with a primary care provider or an allergist. Often, a head cold or viral rhinitis can lead to both an ear infection and a sinus infection. Although they may occur simultaneously, viral rhinitis is typically the root cause. A sinus infection rarely leads to an ear infection.
The primary symptom of a sinus infection is painful pressure. Depending on the affected sinus, this pain can manifest in different areas: the forehead (frontal sinusitis), over the cheek or in the upper jaw and teeth (maxillary sinusitis), behind the eyes (ethmoid or sphenoid sinusitis), or at the top of the head (sphenoid sinusitis).
To alleviate initial sinusitis symptoms, which resemble those of a cold, various treatments can be used. These include nasal rinses, decongestants, and pain relievers. Additionally, environmental and anatomical factors, such as a deviated septum or allergies, can cause sinus blockages.
Other common symptoms include bad breath, fever, lethargy, loss of smell or taste, and ear pressure. Distinguishing between a sinus infection and a cold is crucial, as sinus infection symptoms follow a different trajectory. Typically, cold symptoms resolve within 7 to 10 days.
The loss of smell associated with sinus infections usually accompanies more significant symptoms, such as facial pain or pressure. In contrast, COVID-19 symptoms might include fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and possibly gastrointestinal issues. Due to overlapping symptoms, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Haemophilus influenzae infections, commonly affecting infants and children, can cause various issues, including ear, eye, sinus infections, and pneumonia. The development of a vaccine has significantly reduced the prevalence of a more severe strain, H. influenzae type b, in the United States.
For more detailed information on sinusitis, visit the following resources:
USF Health News,
Mayo Clinic Health System,
Harvard Health,
Harvard Health,
Harvard Health,
Keck Medicine of USC,
Ohio State Health & Discovery, and
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
