Symptoms of Sinus Infections

Despite the fact that more than 30 million people suffer from them, symptoms of sinus infections are often misdiagnosed as a common cold or allergy.  Although a sinus infection can develop after a cold or allergy attack, sinus infections can lead to more serious illnesses.

What Is A Sinus Infection?

Before understanding what the obvious symptoms of a sinus infection are, it is important to understand what exactly a sinus infection is.  Often, a cold or allergy attack causes swelling of the membranes in the sinuses, interfering with their ability to drain.  The mucous trapped in the sinus allows bacteria to breed, which can lead to sinus infections.

Most Obvious Symptom

Probably the most obvious symptom of a sinus infection as opposed to the common cold is how long the symptoms last.  A runny or stuffy nose from a cold lasts around two or three days, after which the symptoms begin to dissipate and the patient feels better.  A sinus infection, however, can last for seven days or more.  In addition, sinus infections caused by bacteria are often accompanied by a low-grade fever, while colds are not.  Unfortunately a fever is not an indication that you have a sinus infection, as influenza may also produce a fever.

Discharge Color

Discharge from a cold is often clear or white, while symptoms of a sinus infection include yellow or green mucous that is usually thick.  However, like fevers, other infections also cause colored nasal discharge, so this is also not a definitive test that you have a sinus infection.

Dangers of Sinus Infections

Most people ignore the symptoms of sinus infections, believing that there is no significant danger to letting the infection run its course.  Although in most cases a sinus infection is not dangerous, there are risks in ignoring the symptoms.  Some of these conditions include:

• Osteomyelitis – Young men are at the highest risk for developing this condition due to a sinus infection.  In rare cases, the sinus infection affects the bones in the face, such as the forehead or cheekbones.

• Orbital Infections – Although most sinus infections affect the eyes due to swelling, pain, and pressure, the infection can also spread to the eye socket, which can cause loss of sight in the eye.

• Meningitis – An infection around the brain is the most serious condition that could develop from a sinus infection.  Although viral meningitis is treated easily with medication, bacterial meningitis is more severe and more difficult to treat.  Seek immediate medical attention if someone who has recently had a sinus infection develops confusion, seizures, a coma, or altered consciousness.

Many people suffer from chronic sinus infections, and for those who do, sinus balloon surgery may help relieve their symptoms and reduce the recurrence of infections.  For more information on balloon sinusplasty in Dallas, feel free to visit DFW Sinus Select.