Sinus infection and chronic sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the tissue lining the sinuses. Normally sinuses are filled with air, but when sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, germs (bacteria, viruses and fungi) can grow and cause an infection.

Conditions that can cause sinus blockage include the common cold, allergic rhinitis (swelling of the lining of the nose), nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose) or a deviated septum (a shift in the nasal cavity).

Antibiotics overused for sinusitis infection

Antibiotics are still being widely overprescribed for sinusitis, though the majority of these illnesses are caused by viruses, research shows.

Studies suggest that only about 3% to 5% of acute sinus infections are bacterial in nature, meaning that they respond to antibiotic treatment.

Using data derived from two US national studies of prescription practises, researchers concluded that antibiotics were prescribed for slightly more than four out of five patients with acute sinusitis and two-thirds of patients with chronic sinusitis.

There are different types of sinusitis including :

• Acute sinusitis: a sudden onset of cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, stuffy nose and facial pain that typically lasts no more than a week but can last longer.
• Chronic sinusitis: a condition characterised by sinus inflammation symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks.
• Recurrent sinusitis: several attacks within a year.

Who gets sinusitis and sinus infections?

Millions of people have at least one episode of sinusitis each year. People who develop the following conditions have a higher risk of sinusitis:

• Nasal mucous membrane swelling as from a common cold
• Blockage of drainage ducts
• Structure differences that narrow the drainage ducts
• Conditions that result in an increased risk of infection such as immune deficiencies or taking medications that suppress the immune system.

In children common environmental factors that contribute to sinusitis include allergies, illness from other children at day care or school, dummies, bottle drinking while lying on one's back and smoke in the environment.

In adults the contributing factors are most frequently infections and smoking.

Acute sinusitis: What are the signs and symptoms?

The primary symptoms of acute sinusitis include:

• Facial pain/pressure
• Nasal stuffiness
• Nasal discharge
• Loss of smell
• Cough/congestion

Additional symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Dental pain

Acute sinusitis may be diagnosed when a person has two or more symptoms and/or the presence of thick, green or yellow nasal discharge.

Chronic sinusitis: What are the signs and symptoms?

People with chronic sinusitis may have the following symptoms for 12 weeks or more:

• Facial congestion/fullness
• A nasal obstruction/blockage
• Pus in the nasal cavity
• Fever
• Nasal discharge/discoloured postnasal drainage

Additional symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Dental pain