There are two types of sinus infections (also known as sinusitis), acute and chronic. Bacteria in the upper respiratory tract are normally the cause of an acute sinus infection. Two percent of adults and twenty percent of children will suffer a sinus infection during a bout with the common cold. Fortunately, this form of infection reacts very well to treatment and usually goes away within two to three weeks.
Chronic sinus infections however, are very common. According to statistics, over thirty-seven million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis, which could last for over three months. Unfortunately, hence the name “chronic”, it usually returns.
Acute and chronic sinus infections both have similar symptoms, which include dental pain, cough, bad breath, stuffy nose, erythema, fatigue, difficulty breathing, fever, nausea, pain around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, and sore throat.
People suffering with chronic or acute sinusitis should consult a doctor, because if left untreated, severe medical problems and sometimes death could come about.
Here are some complications that could arise from an untreated and undiagnosed sinus infection.
We all know that fevers and runny noses are synonymous with sinus infections. However, many people do not know that soft tissue inflammation above the frontal sinus may be an indication of an infection of the frontal bone, also known as Osteomyelitis.
Another complication called Ethmoid sinusitis may infect the eye socket, which could lead to severe swelling or the eye appearing droopy. This condition could lead to lasting blindness. In addition, a blood clot could form around the front and top of the face in which the pupils become fixed and dilated and could occur in both the right and left eyes.
Sinus infections are also capable of altering someone’s personality or their consciousness. Unfortunately, if this occurs, the infection may have already spread to the brain, which will result in a coma or death.
This is why seeing a doctor is so important. People with strong immune systems can fight off the infection without seeing a physician; however, children and the elderly are at a greater risk for these complications to occur. Taking action immediately and seeking help will allow the doctor plenty of time to diagnose the problem and recommend the right treatment for the illness.
Doctor’s can usually tell a sinus infection by lightly touching the face for tenderness in the skin, however, CT scans, MRI’s , and X-rays are also used to determine the problem.
Over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol are among the most widely used treatments for sinusitis that doctors recommend. If the patient shows no improvement within a week, then it is most likely a bacterial infection. The doctor will then run a series of tests to determine the origin of the bacterium, and then he or she will prescribe the right type of antibiotic to remedy the situation.
Recovery time depends on the person. Some people start feeling better after two days on antibiotics, while some can still feel under the weather for days and weeks. Antibiotic treatment for a sinus infection usually lasts for two weeks, but it could be extended seven more days in the case of a chronic infection.
There are plenty of home remedies out there for sinus infections. Some of these remedies work very well; however, do not hesitate to go see a doctor if you feel no improvement in your condition after a couple days. Children and the elderly should go straight to the doctor if a sinus infection is suspected.