Do You Have A Sinus Infection?

A Sinus infection is a common health problem around the world. Many people who fall victim to it have allergies, structural blockages in the nose or sinuses, asthma, or just a weak immune system.

Sinus is a cavity in any tissue or organ of the human body. Sinus terminology is also referred to as an abnormal cavity caused by the destruction of tissues. Commonly, the word sinus refers to the paranasal sinuses. It is the air cavity in the cranial bones, especially bones near the nose.

Sinus Infection | NYC Allergist 2020-2021
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A sinus infection occurs when the membrane linings in the sinus cavities suffer from inflammation or infection. If not treated, it can get severe and eventually affect the lungs.

More than 30 million people are diagnosed with a sinus infection each year in the United States. A sinus infection usually occurs from early fall to early spring. Rhinosinusitis affects 35 million individuals per year in the United States 14% of whom are adults.

Symptoms of Sinus Infection

The signs of a sinus infection are as follows:

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sinus pressure behind the cheeks and the eyes
  • A runny nose
  • Bad breath
  • Mucus with green colors and thickness
  • Fatigue
  • Sense of smell reduces

Types of Sinus Infection

An allergen, virus, and bacteria can be the cause of sinus. There are various types of sinus infection.

1.     Viral Sinusitis

Viral infection can lead to infection, called viral sinusitis. It affects the membrane lining of your nasal cavity, ear, or nose. It mostly occurs when the upper respiratory got infected.

The symptoms of viral sinusitis are the same as a cold. That includes a sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and nasal congestion. Mucus is commonly clear or slightly colored during a sinus infection.

Do You Have A Sinus Infection?

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Antibiotics are not effective for viral infection. The best treatment is that you take rest as much as you can and drink more fluids. Use saline nasal sprays and take pain relievers for relief during the treatment process.

Viral sinusitis typically resolves in 7-10 days.

2.     Bacterial Sinusitis

Bacterial sinusitis is a bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses. Paranasal sinuses are the hollow spaces in the bones of the face and nose.  Bacterial sinusitis is when bacteria inflame the mucous membrane lining of the sinuses.

There are four pairs of paranasal sinuses called the maxillary sinuses, ethmoid sinuses, frontal sinuses, and sphenoidal sinuses. Maxillary sinuses usually suffer from bacterial infection.

Symptoms of bacterial infection are thick green or yellow nasal discharge. The nasal passage is swollen, and mucus drips down the back of the throat; this is called post-nasal drip. Some people also feel facial pain and pressure.

3.     Chronic Sinusitis

During chronic sinusitis, symptoms persist for a long time. Symptoms like nasal congestion and post-nasal drainage are more common. If a person coughs at night or when they wake up, it is a symptom of chronic sinusitis. This means that you have a severe sinus infection.

People who have nasal polyps can get infected by chronic infection. For the treatment, nasal steroid sprays are usually suggested by doctors.

4.     Allergic Sinusitis

This infection usually occurs in childhood. It is a reaction of inhaling allergens like dust, smoke, and animal dander. If you have a family history of sinuses, you are more likely to suffer from allergic sinusitis. You are more sensitive to allergens and food.

Acute allergic sinusitis can last up to four weeks and chronics last more than eight weeks. Symptoms include nasal congestion, headache, and pain around the cheeks, forehead, and nose and between the eyes. You may also feel itchiness in eyes, nose, and throat. You may face sleeping problems and a reduced sense of taste and smell.

The Bottom Line

You may have a sinus infection if you are experiencing a headache, pain in the eyes, nose, and throat, or thick mucus. Sinus infection can be very painful and requires instant treatment so that it doesn’t get worse.

If you have symptoms of viral, allergic, bacterial, and chronic sinusitis, call the best NYC Allergist Dr. Sneeze to treat your sinus infection. We are the top specialists in New York to diagnose and treat sinus infections.

Visit our website or call us for an in-person or tele-medicine appointment 212-319-5282.

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