Sinus infections can happen due to a variety of different conditions including illnesses and exposure to environmental irritants. They can cause severe discomfort and be long-lasting or even chronic. Learn about the early warning signs of sinus infections so that you can get medical treatment early. Visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree for same-day sinus infection diagnosis and treatment in Braintree, MA.
Why Do Sinus Infections Happen?
Sinus infections can be caused by a variety of different conditions. In most cases, sinus infections are a secondary illness that develops due to severe congestion caused by another illness, like a cold. Our sinus passages connect our ears, nose, and airway and naturally create mucus to help flush out debris and infections. When too much mucus builds up in the sinuses due to inflammation in the nasal passages, your sinuses can become infected.
Sinus infections can also occur due to environmental irritants, such as allergies or exposure to smoke. These irritants can cause your sinuses to produce too much mucus and continued exposure to such irritants can create the perfect conditions for an infection to brew in your sinuses. Other factors that inhibit mucus from draining from your sinus can cause frequent sinus infections. Having a deviated septum often causes chronic or frequent sinus infections.
Symptoms of a Sinus Infection
Sinus infections often occur after another illness, which can make them difficult to diagnose and treat before they progress. If you are suffering from illness symptoms such as congestion, it is important to monitor your symptoms. If your illness only appears to be getting worse after 5 to 7 days, you may be developing a sinus infection.
Sinus infection symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Loss of sense of smell
- Sore throat
- Face pain/swelling
The severity of sinus infection symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the infection. In certain cases, sinus infections can be caused by a bacterial infection, which likely will cause more severe symptoms compared to sinus infections caused by a viral infection. It is important to seek medical treatment if you suspect you have a sinus infection to verify the cause of the infection and ensure you receive the correct treatment.
Can Sinus Infections Come and Go?
Your body cannot build up immunity to sinus infections like it can with other illnesses such as a cold or the flu. This is because sinus infections are caused by the congestion of the nasal passage, not directly by a specific virus or bacteria. As a result, sinus infections can be chronic or seem to come and go every few weeks.
If you are someone who struggles with sinus infections frequently, your medical provider may be able to suggest maintenance options to help reduce your chances of developing a sinus infection in the future. Treating minor illnesses that cause congestion early can help reduce your chances of your illness developing into a sinus infection. Using over-the-counter decongestants, nasal rinses, and taking preventative measures such as hand washing can all help reduce your risk of developing a sinus infection in the future.
Get Sinus Infection Treatment in Braintree, MA by Visiting AFC Urgent Care Braintree
Whether you are someone who is experiencing the symptoms of a sinus infection for the first time, or someone who suffers from them frequently, AFC Urgent Care Braintree can help. Our medical providers specialize in providing fast and accurate illness diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms. Simply walk into our clinic, or schedule an appointment online.
Our clinic is equipped with a laboratory on-site and is open seven days a week for patients in Braintree, MA, and the surrounding communities. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options. Get fast sinus infection symptom relief by visiting AFC Urgent Care Braintree today. For additional information regarding our clinic, contact us directly by calling 781-848-2273.
