Inflammation of mucous membrane that lines paranasal sinuses. Also see Lung Sinus Bacteria, and Sinus Bacteria. Use Streptococcus Pneumoniae, and appropriate Sinusitis and Rhinitis programs.Encyclopedia Entry for Sinusitis :Sinusitis(*) - most common causes overall are respiratory viruses; most common bacterial causes : Streptococcus pneumoniae (G+ coccus) and Haemophilus influenzae (G- pleomorphic rod) (renamed and now called acute rhinosinusitis or acute bacterial rhinosinusitis)Encyclopedia Entry for Sinusitis :Sinusitis in adults - aftercare. Many cases of sinusitis clear up on their own. Most of the time, you DO NOT need antibiotics if your sinusitis lasts for less than 2 weeks. Even when you do use antibiotics, they may only slightly reduce the time you are sick. Your health care provider is more likely to prescribe antibiotics if your sinusitis lasts longer than 2 weeks or recurs often. Your provider may also refer you to an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an allergy specialist.Keeping mucus thin will help it drain from your sinuses and relieve your symptoms. Drinking plenty of clear fluids is one way to do this. You can also: Apply a warm, moist washcloth to your face several times a day. Inhale steam 2 to 4 times a day. One way to do this is to sit in the bathroom with the shower running. DO NOT inhale hot steam. Spray with nasal saline several times per day. Use a humidifier to keep the air in your room moist. You can buy nasal sprays that relieve stuffiness or congestion without a prescription. They may help at first, but using them for more than 3 to 5 days can cause your symptoms to get worse. To further relieve your symptoms, try to avoid the following: Flying when you are congested Very hot or very cold temperatures or sudden changes in temperature Bending forward with your head down.Allergies that are not well-controlled can make sinus infections harder to treat. Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays are 2 types of medicine that work well for allergy symptoms. You can do many things to limit your exposure to triggers, things that make your allergies worse. Reduce dust and dust mites in the home. Control molds , indoors and out. Avoid exposure to plant pollens and animals that trigger your symptoms.DO NOT self-treat by taking leftover antibiotics you may have at home. If your provider prescribes antibiotics for your sinus infection, follow these general rules for taking them: Take all of the pills as prescribed, even if you feel better before you finish them. Always dispose of any unused antibiotic pills you may have at home. Watch for common side effects of antibiotics, including: Skin rashes Diarrhea For women, yeast infection of the vagina (vaginitis).Reduce stress and get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to get sick. Other things you can do to prevent infections: If you smoke, stop. Avoid secondhand smoke. Get a flu shot every year. Wash your hands often, such as after shaking other people's hands. Treat your allergies.Call your provider if: Your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days. You have a severe headache that does not get better when you use pain medicine. You have a fever. You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly. You have any changes in your vision. You notice small growths in your nose.Sinus infection - self-care; Rhinosinusitis - self-care.Chronic sinusitis Chronic sinusitis.Borish L. Allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.Encyclopedia Entry for Sinusitis :Sinusitis. The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull. They are located behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes. Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs. Most of the time, mucus is able to drain out and air is able to flow through the sinuses. Sinuses When the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily. Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions: Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses fail to properly move mucus out. This may be due to some medical conditions. Colds and allergies may cause too much mucus to be made or block the opening of the sinuses. A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur, or nasal polyps may block the opening of the sinuses. Sinusitis There are two types of sinusitis: Acute sinusitis is when symptoms are present for 4 weeks or less. It is caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses. Chronic sinusitis is when the swelling of the sinuses is present for longer than 3 months. It may be caused by bacteria or a fungus. The following may increase the risk that an adult or child will develop sinusitis: Allergic rhinitis or hay fever Cystic fibrosis Going to day care Diseases that prevent the cilia from working properly Changes in altitude (flying or scuba diving) Large adenoids Smoking Weakened immune system from HIV or chemotherapy Abnormal sinus structures.The symptoms of acute sinusitis in adults very often follow a cold that does not get better or that gets worse after 5 to 7 days. Symptoms include: Bad breath or loss of smell Cough, often worse at night Fatigue and general feeling of being ill Fever Headache Pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, toothache, or tenderness of the face Nasal stuffiness and discharge Sore throat and postnasal drip Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis. However, the symptoms tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks. Symptoms of sinusitis in children include: Cold or respiratory illness that has been getting better and then begins to get worse High fever, along with a darkened nasal discharge, that lasts for at least 3 days Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving.The health care provider will examine you or your child for sinusitis by: Looking in the nose for signs of polyps Shining a light against the sinus (transillumination) for signs of inflammation Tapping over a sinus area to find infection The provider may view the sinuses through a fiberoptic scope (called nasal endoscopy or rhinoscopy) to diagnose sinusitis. This is often done by doctors who specialize in ear, nose, and throat problems (ENTs). Imaging tests that may be used to decide on treatment are: A CT scan of the sinuses to help diagnose sinusitis or view the bones and tissues of the sinuses more closely An MRI of the sinuses if there might be a tumor or fungal infection Most of the time, regular x-rays of the sinuses do not diagnose sinusitis well. If you or your child has sinusitis that does not go away or keeps returning, other tests may include: Allergy testing Blood tests for HIV or other tests for poor immune function Ciliary function test Nasal culture Nasal cytology Sweat chloride tests for cystic fibrosis.SELF-CARE Try the following steps to reduce stuffiness in your sinuses: Apply a warm, moist washcloth to your face several times a day. Drink plenty of fluids to thin the mucus. Inhale steam 2 to 4 times per day (for example, while sitting in the bathroom with the shower running). Spray with nasal saline several times per day. Use a humidifier. Use a Neti pot or saline squeeze bottle to flush the sinuses. Be careful with use of over-the-counter spray nasal decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) or neosynephrine. They may help at first, but using them for more than 3 to 5 days can make nasal stuffiness worse. To help ease sinus pain or pressure: Avoid flying when you are congested. Avoid temperature extremes, sudden changes in temperature, and bending forward with your head down. Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen. MEDICINE AND OTHER TREATMENTS Most of the time, antibiotics are not needed for acute sinusitis. Most of these infections go away on their own. Even when antibiotics do help, they may only slightly reduce the time it takes for the infection to go away. Antibiotics are more likely to be prescribed sooner for: Children with nasal discharge, possibly with a cough, that is not getting better after 2 to 3 weeks Fever higher than 102.2 F (39 C) Headache or pain in the face Severe swelling around the eyes Acute sinusitis should be treated for 10 to 14 days. Chronic sinusitis should be treated for 3 to 4 weeks. Some people with chronic sinusitis may need special medicines to treat fungal infections. At some point, your provider will consider: Other prescription medicines More testing Referral to an ear, nose, and throat or allergy specialist Other treatments for sinusitis include: Allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help prevent the disease from returning Avoiding allergy triggers Nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines to decrease swelling, especially if there are nasal polyps or allergies Surgery to enlarge the sinus opening and drain the sinuses may also be needed. You may consider this procedure if: Your symptoms do not go away after 3 months of treatment. You have more than 2 or 3 episodes of acute sinusitis each year. Most fungal sinus infections need surgery. Surgery to repair a deviated septum or nasal polyps may prevent the condition from returning.Most sinus infections can be cured with self-care measures and medical treatment. If you are having repeated attacks, you should be checked for causes such as nasal polyps or other problems, such as allergies.Although very rare, complications may include: Abscess Bone infection ( osteomyelitis ) Meningitis Skin infection around the eye ( orbital cellulitis ).Call your provider if: Your symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days or you have a cold that gets worse after 7 days. You have a severe headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine. You have a fever. You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly. You have any changes in your vision during a sinus infection. A green or yellow discharge does not mean that you definitely have a sinus infection or need antibiotics.The best way to prevent sinusitis is to avoid colds and flu or treat problems quickly. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants and other chemicals that could boost your immune system and help your body resist infection. Get an influenza vaccine each year. Reduce stress. Wash your hands often, particularly after shaking hands with others. Other tips for preventing sinusitis: Avoid smoke and pollutants. Drink plenty of fluids to increase moisture in your body. Take decongestants during an upper respiratory infection. Treat allergies quickly and appropriately. Use a humidifier to increase moisture in your nose and sinuses.Acute sinusitis; Sinus infection; Sinusitis - acute; Sinusitis - chronic; Rhinosinusitis.Sinuses Sinuses Sinusitis Sinusitis Chronic sinusitis Chronic sinusitis.DeMuri GP, Wald ER. Sinusitis.