Causes Of A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection or sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses. Most often, it is triggered by a common cold, which is considered a virus. These include rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, and parainfluenza viruses. Influenza viruses, which are responsible for the flu, can also cause sinusitis. These viral infections of the sinus usually resolve in ten days.
Bacteria can also cause sinus infections. These includeS. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, S. pyogenes, S. aureus, and various fungi can cause a sinus infection, as well.
Why do allergies can cause sinus infections? Allergic reactions cause excess histamine and inflammation, which irritate the nose and sinuses. The common cold also causes inflammation and irritation of the nose and sinuses. Once the sinus cavities are irritated and inflamed, they can easily become infected.
Fungal Infection In Nose Ie Fungal Sinusitis
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There has been a notable increase in reported cases of fungal infection in the nose, or fungal sinusitis, over the last three decades according to The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
This is attributed to three main factors, namely heightened public awareness, use of immunosuppressive therapies e.g. cyclosporine medications that are used to fool the immune system in order to stop organ rejection, and excessive use of antibiotics.
With a suppressed immune system, fungi kick into action and invade the body, resulting in numerous side effects. The damp cavities in the sinuses are ideal for fungal activity and because fungi require no light in order to breakdown food substances, they thrive very well in there, causing fungal sinusitis.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery, there are four main types of fungal sinusitis and treatment varies from one to the other as follows:
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Preventing Sinus Infections And Bronchitis
The best way to prevent both sinus infections and bronchitis is to wash your hands regularly and try to minimize your contact with someone who has a cold.
If you have allergies, try to manage those symptoms well and avoid allergens as much as possible. Both can reduce your risk of developing a sinus infection. This includes avoiding cigarette smoke and other air contaminants, which can irritate and inflame the lungs and nasal passages.
Finally, regular use of a humidifier adds moisture to the air and may help prevent sinusitis. It is critical, however, to regularly clean the humidifier to assure it is free of mold.
There is some evidence that an annual flu shot can reduce your chances of getting bronchitis, as flu viruses have been shown to be a significant cause of bronchitis. Additionally, avoiding cold and damp environments can reduce your risk of developing bronchitis.
At Columbia Allergy, we are experts in the treatment of asthma or allergies. Our providers are here to help with a patient-focused approach. Contact us at any of our convenient locations in California, Oregon, Idaho, or Washington to learn more about how we can help with your unique challenges and goals.
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Can Sinus Cause Swollen Tonsils
Post-nasal drip often leads to a sore, irritated throat. Although there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in the throat may swell. This can cause discomfort or a feeling that there is a lump in the throat. Successful treatment of the post-nasal drip will usually clear up these throat symptoms.
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A Pharmacist Can Help With An Rti
A pharmacist can suggest treatments to help relieve your symptoms, such as and nasal sprays.
You can also buy cough medicines and throat lozenges, although theres little evidence to show they help.
Some treatments contain paracetamol and ibuprofen.
If youre taking these medicines separately, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose.
Certain treatments are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. Your pharmacist can advise you about the best treatment for you or your child.
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Birth Of A Sinus Infection
Most people dont give much thought to their sinuses. Yet these little air-filled facial chambers have an important job to do. When you breathe through your nose, your sinuses go to work filtering pollutants, allergens and other irritants. If your sinus cavities are swollen and inflamed due to a cold, mucus can become trapped and create a breeding ground for infection.
Lack Of Moisture Or Dry Air
When mucus is trapped in the nasal passages for long periods of time, it can lose water and thicken. The result? It worsens symptoms and makes sinusitis more likely.
Therefore, doctors recommend you keep your nose as moist as possible. Start by drinking lots of water and avoiding caffeine, and use a humidifier to keep indoor air moist during the winter.
The occasional use of nasal irrigation treatments, like saline sprays, may also help treat or prevent sinusitis symptoms.
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Ear And Sinus Infections
Its the middle of the night, and your child has awakened you crying. Nothing youve tried is consoling her, and you notice she is pulling at her ears. Could she be suffering from an ear infection? Most ear infections are caused by a bacterial accumulation in the middle ear. These infections cause fluid to build up behind the ear drum. The result is painful inflammation and swelling that can trap fluid in the inner ear. Most earaches resolve on their own or with prescription medication. However, some ear infections occur chronically and require additional medical intervention.
Ear infections are highly common among children and adults. In fact, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that 75 percent of all children experience at least one ear infection by their third birthdays. The condition, also known as otitis media, can be painful for children and worrisome for parents. It causes millions of doctors visits every year not to mention countless prescriptions for antibiotics.
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Can A Sinus Infection Turn Into Bronchitis
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Considering this, can a sinus infection go into bronchitis?
Yes, acute bronchitis is usually caused by the same viruses that cause colds and the flu. The infection typically begins in the nose, the sinuses, or the throat and spreads to the bronchial tubes, where it causes inflammation when the body tries to fight the infection, Dr. Holguin explains.
Secondly, what can I take for sinus infection and bronchitis? Treatments include rest, fluids, and aspirin or acetaminophen to treat fever. A humidifier or steam can also help. You may need inhaled medicine to open your airways if you are wheezing. Antibiotics wonât help if the cause is viral.
Beside above, can a sinus infection turn into pneumonia?
If mucus drainage is blocked, however, bacteria may start to grow. The most common viruses and bacteria that cause sinusitis also cause the flu and certain kinds of pneumonia. Sinusitis is an infection of the lining of the sinuses near the nose. These infections most often happen after a cold or an allergy flare-up.
Can an upper respiratory infection turn into bronchitis?
Both children and adults can get acute bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. Often a person gets acute bronchitis after having an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold or the flu. Acute bronchitis also can be caused by breathing in things that irritate the bronchial tubes, such as smoke.
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What Is A Cold
The common cold is an upper respiratory illness that can be caused by a slew of viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Those viruses can include rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus , adenoviruses, and coronaviruses.
Common cold viruses spread from infected people to others through the air and close contact, the CDC says. You can also pick up a cold by shaking hands with someone who is infected or touching a surface that has one of the viruses on it and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Symptoms of the common cold usually include:
A Common Cold Can Mimic Both Allergies And Sinus Infections
Nasal congestion, sneezing, and a thick whitish or thin discharge are well-known cold symptoms. Fever, headaches, and facial pain or pressure sometimes occur. Unlike sinus infections, the common cold does not usually cause tooth pain.
The duration of a cold is usually up to 10 days and this viral infection is more common during the cold season. Meanwhile, sinus infections can be treated with antibiotics and allergies with antihistamines.
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Pay Close Attention To Symptoms To Determine If Cause Is Sinus Infection Or Allergies
Dear Mayo Clinic:
I have long suffered from allergies. But there have been times when I haven’t been sure if my symptoms are really from my allergies or may be caused by a sinus infection instead. How can I tell the difference?
Answer:
Allergies and sinus infections are often mistaken for one another. But they are two separate conditions. By paying close attention to the specific symptoms you have, you can usually identify which one is more likely to be causing the problem.
A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, affects the cavities around your nasal passages. The infection causes your sinuses to become inflamed and swollen. The swelling makes it hard for your sinuses to drain, and mucus builds up. You become congested and have trouble breathing through your nose. Sinusitis often causes thick yellow or green nasal discharge. A sore throat, cough or headache, as well as pressure or tenderness around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, may also accompany sinusitis.
In most cases, viruses cause sinusitis. These viral infections usually go away on their own within a week to 10 days. Self-care measures such as extra rest and fluids along with over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants can help. When sinusitis is caused by bacteria, the infection may not require treatment, either. But if it is persistent or severe, then antibiotics such as amoxicillin, doxycycline and others may be used to treat the infection.
How Is Each Condition Diagnosed
A common cold can usually be diagnosed with a standard physical examination and a review of symptoms. Your doctor may perform a rhinoscopy if they suspect a sinus infection.
During a rhinoscopy, your doctor will insert an endoscope gently into your nose and sinus cavity so they can look at the lining of your sinuses. An endoscope is a thin tube that has a light at one end and either has a camera or an eyepiece to look through.
If your doctor thinks an allergy is causing your sinus inflammation, they may recommend an allergy skin test to help identify the allergen causing your symptoms.
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What To Do When Allergies Turn Into A Sinus Infection
Theres a lot to love about spring: blooming flowers, chirping birds, a general sense of rejuvenation, the fact that its finally iced latte weather. But if youre one of the over 60 million people in the U.S. who suffer from symptoms of seasonal allergies , spring might be full of nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes rather than warm, sunlit nature walks.
Allergies are uncomfortable enough, but sometimes it seems like they can last forever. If thats happening, theres a chance your allergies might have actually turned into a sinus infection.
Allergies: A Quick Refresher
We recently covered some allergy basics: when allergens come into contact with the body, it causes a direct immune response. Our bodies have a natural ability to produce antibodies to ward off foreign substances and fight infections, but when an allergen is introduced to the immune system, the antibodies recognize it as a potential threat, even when its actually harmless. This triggers an immune system response that can become a sinus, digestive system, skin, or respiratory issue.
Allergy symptoms include:
Sinus Infections: A Quick Breakdown
How do you know if you have a sinus infection? Symptoms may include:
- Nasal obstruction or congestion
- Tenderness/swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead
- Reduced sense of smell and taste
Allergies vs. Sinus Infections
So, how do I treat it?
How Severe Are The Symptoms
Most sinus infections go away on their own without severe symptoms or complications. If a sinus infection is caused by bacteria, you may need antibiotics.
Many cases of COVID-19 may be mild or moderate. The World Health Organization estimates that
Heres what to do next whether you think that you have a sinus infection or COVID-19.
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Do I Need Antibiotics For Every Sinus Infection
Many sinus infections are caused by viruses, the ones that cause the common cold. These types of infections are not cured by antibiotics. Taking an antibiotic for a viral infection unnecessarily puts you at risk for side effects related to the antibiotic. In addition, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, which may make future infections more difficult to treat.
Sinusitis is treated in several ways, each depending on how severe the case of sinusitis is.
A simple sinusitis infection is treated with:
- Drinking fluids .
If symptoms of sinusitis donât improve after 10 days, your doctor may prescribe:
- Oral or topical decongestants.
- Prescription intranasal steroid sprays. .
Long-term sinusitis may be treated by focusing on the underlying condition . This is usually treated with:
- Intranasal steroid sprays.
- Topical antihistamine sprays or oral pills.
- Leukotriene antagonists to reduce swelling and allergy symptoms.
- Rinsing the nose with saline solutions that might also contain other types of medication.
When sinusitis isnât controlled by one of the above treatments, a CT scan is used to take a better look at your sinuses. Depending on the results, surgery may be needed to correct structural problems in your sinuses. This is most likely to happen if you have polyps and/or a fungal infection.
How Is A Sinus Infection Treated
Bacterial sinus infections are usually treated with penicillin-based medications, but people with a penicillin allergy can take alternative antibiotics like doxycycline or azithromycin. Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or Tylenol, nasal steroids like Flonase and oral decongestants like Sudafed can also be used. If you experience recurring sinus infections, it may be time to see an ear, nose and throat specialist or allergist.
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Are Sinus Infections Common
Yes. Sinus infections are common, affecting 31 million people in the United States. There are two main forms of sinus infections, acute and chronic either can be viral or bacterial infections. An acute sinus infection can last from 10 days to eight weeks. Chronic infection often referred to as chronic sinusitis, can last even longer and continue for months.
How Are Sinus Infections Treated
Many sinus infections caused by a virus will resolve on their own without any treatment with antibiotics, Melinda said. This is important because if you dont need antibiotics, its better not to take them as they can cause side effects and long-term resistance. An infection caused by bacteria, however, will likely require antibiotics.
Sometimes your health care provider may ask you to take over-the-counter medications to help your symptoms and monitor your condition further.
Examples of over-the-counter medication include:
- Saline nasal spray
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief
- A warm compress on your nose and forehead to relieve sinus pressure
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How Can I Tell If I Have A Sinus Infection Cold Or Nasal Allergy
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold, allergies, and a sinus infection. The common cold typically builds, peaks, and slowly disappears. It lasts a few days to a week. A cold can transform into a sinus infection. Nasal allergy is inflammation of the nose due to irritating particles . Symptoms of a nasal allergy can include sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, congestion, runny nose, and post nasal drip . Sinusitis and allergy symptoms can happen at the same time as a common cold.
If you are fighting off a cold and develop symptoms of a sinus infection or nasal allergy, see your healthcare provider. You will be asked to describe your symptoms and medical history.
How Your Allergies Can Cause A Sinus Infection
If youve ever had a sinus infection, you know the pain and discomfort it can cause. Medically termed sinusitis, a sinus infection occurs when the cavities around your nose become swollen and inflamed.
Sinusitis is most often caused by a virus and often lasts long after the other upper respiratory symptoms are gone. Rarely, fungus or bacteria may cause a sinus infection. Allergies, nasal polyps, a tooth infection, and a deviated septum are other ways in which sinusitis may be triggered.
Sinusitis is acute if it lasts for a short period of time. The acute infection is usually part of a cold or allergies. If your sinus infection lasts for more than eight weeks, or continues to reoccur, you have a chronic infection. Many symptoms of a sinus infection are common to both the acute and the chronic forms. The best way to know for sure if you have an infection, to find the cause, and to get treatment, is to see your doctor.
An infection of the sinus cavity close to the brain can be life threatening, if not treated. In rare cases, it can spread to the brain.
Normal sinuses are lined with a thin layer of mucus that traps dust, germs and other particles in the air. Tiny hair-like projections in the sinuses sweep the mucus towards openings that lead to the back of the throat. From there, it slides down to the stomach. This continual process is a normal body function.
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