Sinusitis is a medical term used to describe inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the sinuses. Acute sinusitis is one type of sinusitis. It is diagnosed when symptoms have lasted for fewer than four weeks.
What Causes Acute Sinus Infections?
Acute sinusitis is most often caused by a virus. This is known as acute viral sinusitis. Bacteria can also infect the sinuses, although this is less common. Bacteria cause up to 2 percent of acute
sinus infections in adults and up to 13 percent in children
(see Sinus Infections in Children).
Because infections are the main cause of sinusitis, the terms "sinusitis" and "sinus infection" often are used interchangeably.
The sinuses are more likely to get infected in people with an upper respiratory infection, such as the
common cold or flu. This is because the same viruses that cause upper respiratory infections also cause sinusitis.
Other things that can increase the risk for an acute sinus infection include:
- Allergies (i.e., hay fever or seasonal allergies)
- Infection of the ear or throat
- Swimming (chlorine can irritate the sinuses)
- Problems with mucus secretion or movement (such as in people with cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia)
- A weakened immune system
- Cocaine use
- Anything that partially or completely blocks the nose (such as a nasal polyp or deviated septum)
- Other factors that harm sinus drainage.
Symptoms of an Acute Sinus Infection
There are a number of common signs and symptoms of acute
sinusitis. The most common symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion or blockage
- Drainage of a thick, yellow-to-green mucus (which can drain out the nose or down the back of the throat)
- Face pain or discomfort that is worse when bending over
- Tooth pain or discomfort.
Other signs, such as a fever or cough, are less common.
(Click Acute Sinusitis Symptoms to learn more, including symptoms that are likelier to be from a bacterial infection and symptoms that may indicate something more serious.)
Most cases of acute sinusitis can be diagnosed following a physical exam and a discussion with your healthcare provider. There are no routine tests used to diagnose an acute
sinus infection.
There are also no routine tests that can help diagnose a sinus infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Healthcare providers rely on your symptoms, their severity, and what they find in the physical exam in order to help decide between the two.
Decreasing inflammation and relieving symptoms are the two main goals of sinusitis treatment. Treatment does not shorten the course of the illness; it just helps relieve symptoms until the body can take care of the infection on its own.
Some different options for treating an acute sinus infection include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®), or acetaminophen (Tylenol®), for pain relief and/or fever.
- Irrigating the nose with a non-medicated saline solution or spray several times a day. This helps clear the nasal passages and decreases the need for pain medicine (see Nasal Irrigation).
- Nasal decongestants and steroid nasal sprays to reduce congestion.
Most sinus infections do not require antibiotics. This is because the majority of sinus infections are caused by a virus, and antibiotics have no effect on viruses. However, these medicines will be prescribed if the healthcare provider suspects bacterial sinusitis. Antibiotics can control a bacterial infection and decrease the chance of complications.
How Long Do Symptoms Last?
Most people with acute viral
sinusitis get better on their own within 7 to 10 days. Many cases of acute bacterial sinusitis also get better on their own or with the help of antibiotics.
If your symptoms are not getting better, or if they come back, you should see your healthcare provider again. It is possible that the antibiotic did not completely eliminate the infection. A different antibiotic or further testing may be recommended.
