Acute Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis refers to a disorder in which the sinus cavities become irritated or inflamed and often contain thick mucus secretions. When this inflammation and build-up of mucus persists, an infection within the sinus cavities may occur. This condition often follows a viral “cold” or persistent nasal allergies. In both conditions, the nose may remain very congested for some time and the sinuses have difficulty clearing out the accumulated mucus. Unlike a common cold, the symptoms in acute sinusitis usually last for more than 10 to 14 days and may persist for up to 4 weeks. Patients with acute sinusitis usually experience nasal congestion, thick, discolored nasal drainage, a sensation of pain or pressure around the eyes or cheeks of the face, decreased sense of smell, post-nasal drainage with cough and, occasionally, fever. Many cases of acute sinusitis will clear up with time without the need for antibiotics. As most sinus infections are due to viruses, it is generally recommended that patients use decongestants, nasal saline spray / rinses and mucus thinners for the first 10 to 14 days. Antibiotics may become necessary if the symptoms are particularly severe or do not respond to medication or rinses after 7 to 10 days of treatment. Identifying and managing allergies can potentially reduce the frequency of acute sinusitis.