A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen and inflamed. Then fluid begins to grow up, which can cause germs to grow in the nasal cavity and lead to sinus infection. Sinus infections, in most cases, are caused mainly by bacteria and fungus.
You might need a medical test to confirm if you really have sinusitis so that you won’t confuse them with something else. AFC Urgent Care Louisville can treat many contagious illnesses. While sinus infections aren’t contagious, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms. Get your symptoms treated by visiting AFC Louisville today.
Symptoms of a sinus Infection
-
Severe pain and pressure.
Fluids trapped in the sinuses can fill the sinus cavities and cause severe pain and pressure. The sinuses may feel tender to the touch. You may feel the need to sneeze without being able to. The pain may be in the cheeks, around the eyes and nose, or in the forehead because the sinuses are located in these areas. Bending over can make the pain worse.
Sometimes the pressure and pain are severe enough to interfere with sleep. Sinusitis can also cause the tissue in the nose to swell.
-
Headache
The pressure and the pain of sinus infection can cause severe headaches in the forehead. Most times, this pain moves from the forehead to the other part of the head, from the forehead to the neck, and this causes neck stiffness.
-
Postnasal Drip
Postnasal drip is mucus that drips from the nose into the back of the throat, which can cause a feeling of hoarseness and congestion or a sense of pressure in the throat or mouth.
-
Congestion
Congestion is also the one to know if you have a sinus infection. Someone with a sinus infection may have a viral infection. This usually occurs when fluid is trapped in the sinuses, in which viruses, bacteria, or fungi can grow. It can be felt due to fluid buildup and swelling.
-
Fever
Fever is also one of the symptoms of sinus infection. Fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. Fever can occur when there is a sinus infection with other infections like chills, exhaustion, and muscle aches.
-
Discolored mucus.
To have discolored mucus means being infected with sinuses. For example, if you are coughing and your mucus is yellow or green, it is likely a sinus infection.
When to See a Doctor
At any level the sinus infection might be, you need to make an appointment with an otolaryngologist who is an expert in that field. You can have an appointment with your doctor
if you are experiencing the following cases.
- You have had sinusitis several times, but the condition doesn't respond to treatment.
- If the sinus infection symptoms lasted for more than days.
- If you have a fever that lasts more than 3 to 4 days
- If the symptoms worsen after initially improving
- If your eyes are swelling or getting red
- If your forehead is swelling
- If you see a double vision or other vision challenges
- If you have neck stiffness
Treating a Sinus Infection
You need to understand that knowing all these symptoms doesn't give you enough evidence of sinus infection. Your doctor will determine if you have a sinus infection by asking about your symptoms and doing a physical exam.
But to treat sinus infection symptoms with home remedies, use this;
- Applying a warm compress to the sinuses relieves pain and pressure by releasing fluid in the sinuses.
- Use a nasal rinse or sinus rinses, such as a saline spray or a Neti pot, available online and in drugstores.
- Avoid long-term use of decongestants without first consulting a doctor, as using them for too long can make congestion worse.
