See a doctor if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
Persistent sinusitis symptoms for longer than 10 days, especially with “double worsening.” This means symptoms start to improve and then get worse a few days later. A fever, especially a high one over 102 ℉. Asymmetric pain (one side much worse than the other) in one or more sinus areas.
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.
Typically, antibiotics are needed when: Sinus infection symptoms last over a week. Symptoms worsen after starting to get better. Sinusitis symptoms are severe (high fever, skin infection or rash, extreme pain or tenderness around the eyes or nose)
If your sinus infection lasts for about a week, it's usually due to a virus. Bacterial sinus infections, on the other hand, can persist for some time. They usually last for 10 days or longer. While viral infections usually start to get better after a few days, bacterial infections tend to get worse over time.
Acute, subacute, chronic and recurrent sinusitis
It's usually caused by viruses like the common cold. Subacute sinusitis symptoms last four to 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis symptoms last at least 12 weeks. Bacteria are usually the cause.
Acute sinusitis lasts for less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis can last for more than 12 weeks. The majority of sinus infection sufferers will see their symptoms start to resolve after about 10 days. While one to two infections a year is considering normal, more than four requires medical attention.
An untreated sinus infection may cause ansomnia, a decrease, or a complete loss of smell. Inflammation and blockage of your sinus passageways or damage to your olfactory nerves cause ansomnia. In many cases, ansomnia is only temporary but can become permanent.
While sinusitis can be managed at home, you might wonder when to see a doctor for a sinus infection. You must go to an ER doctor for immediate medical treatment if you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and unbearable pain.
Some cases of sinus infections are severe and critical that they demand urgent care or emergency room for a sinus infection. Such cases are termed chronic sinusitis and can last several weeks without resolving on their own.
Even a sinus infection can cause bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Your immune system will eliminate small amounts of germs. When this doesn't happen, it can cause blood poisoning. Too many germs can enter your bloodstream at once.
Any OTC remedies typically used for colds can also help treat sinus infections, as greater than 80 percent of symptoms are caused by viruses. Tylenol or ibuprofen work well for fever, muscle aches, headache and sore throat symptoms. Throat sprays or cough drops can help with post-nasal drip symptoms.
What is sinusitis? When the mucus membranes within the sinuses become infected and inflamed, we call this condition sinusitis or rhinosinusitis. The sinuses drain into nasal passages, so a sinus infection can also spread to them. The result is swelling and pain throughout the face, and difficulty breathing.
Sinus infections can be viral or bacterial. “Either way, it's best to stay home,” Wigmore says. Viral sinus infections are often contagious. If you have had symptoms longer than one week, or if you have severe facial pain, teeth/jaw pain, or fever, you may have a bacterial infection and should consult your doctor.
About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.
You may experience: swelling and bulging of the eyes – this usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other eye soon after. red eyes. eye pain – which can be severe.
Fatigue. As your body works hard to fight off the sinus infection, you'll feel more tired than usual. Fatigue can be also be caused by head pain, a lack of adequate sleep, and difficulty breathing due to sinusitis.
If your sinus infection just won't go away or keeps coming back, it may be time to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. An ENT treats conditions of the ear, nose, throat, head, face, and neck. It may be time to see an ENT if: You've completed several courses of antibiotics without success.
For adults, 5 to 7 days is enough
The guidelines recommend treating bacterial sinus infections with amoxicillin-clavulanate, instead of the drug currently used, amoxicillin, because the addition of clavulanate helps to thwart the development of antibiotic resistance.