What Happens If You Let a Sinus Infection Go Untreated?
A sinus infection, also called sinusitis and rhinitis, is a common health condition responsible for millions of doctor visits yearly. The infection is typically caused by the common cold, allergens, viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Symptoms usually go away within 10 days with over-the-counter treatment. Complications may occur if left untreated but can be prevented. Learn more about sinusitis, symptoms, and treatment to avoid complications.
What Is a Sinus Infection?
Your head has four spaces or cavities called sinuses. They make fluid or mucus that washes out allergens, bacteria, and germs from your nose. Sinusitis occurs when allergens, bacteria, viruses, or fungi prevent your sinuses from draining mucus. The blockage causes germs to grow and infect the sinuses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says sinusitis affects about 28.9 million adults in the U.S. yearly. People affected by seasonal allergies, asthma, and tooth infections have a higher risk of sinusitis. Nasal problems such as a deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps are other risk factors.
Signs You Have a Sinus Infection
Stuffy nose, runny nose, and pressure or pain in your face are early signs of infection. Other common symptoms include a greenish discharge from the nose, tooth pain, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Some people experience fever, a loss of sense of smell, or bad breath. It’s worthwhile to note that these symptoms are often mistaken for a bad cold. An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or allergist is trained to tell the difference and provide the appropriate treatment.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection lasting more than 12 weeks is called chronic sinusitis. Symptoms include recurring headaches, earache, fever, thickened nasal mucus, or decreased sense of smell. In that case, your primary care physician may refer you to an allergist or ENT specialist (otolaryngologist).
In rare cases, untreated sinusitis can lead to meningitis. This is an infection in the brain and spinal cord due to complications. Other complications include mucus-filled polyps or blood clots in the sinus cavity and vision problems.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat Sinus Infections
Your ENT specialist will ask about your symptoms. They will examine your ear, nose, and throat for signs of infection. They may also test mucus samples from your nose or perform a CT scan to take a closer look at your sinuses. Treatment may follow depending on their findings.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics as a first line of treatment for bacterial sinus infections. Nasal decongestants, antihistamines, nasal saline washes, and other over-the-counter medications also provide relief. Surgery by an otolaryngologist is a last-resort treatment if drug therapy fails. Sinuplasty, septoplasty, and endoscopic sinus surgery are common surgical treatments. Surgery is done to remove blockages or widen the sinuses and provide long-term relief.
Call Our Sinus and Allergy Doctor in Michigan
Dr. J. Martin Ulrich is our ear, nose, and throat expert at Michigan Nose & Sinus Health. Dr. Ulrich is Board-Certified and continues to provide patients with non-surgical and surgical sinusitis treatments that work. Call 810-695-3766 to book an appointment. He proudly provides ENT services to Grand Blanc and the surrounding areas.
