How long can sinuses last

Most mucus samples are taken from the nose. However, it is sometimes necessary to get mucus or pus directly from the sinuses. Knowing what kind of bacteria is causing the infection can lead to more effective antibiotic therapy. A fungus could also cause your sinus infection. Confirming the presence of fungus is important. Fungal sinus infection needs to be treated with antifungal agents, rather than antibiotics. In addition, some forms of fungal sinus infection — allergic fungal sinus infection, for example — do not respond to antifungal agents and often require the use of oral steroids.

Your allergist may consider ordering a sinus CT. This test can help to define the extent of the infection. Your allergist may also send you to a specialist in allergy and immunology. The specialist will check for underlying factors such as allergies, asthma, structural defects, or a weakness of the immune system. Biopsies: A danger of more serious types of fungal sinus infection is that the fungus could penetrate into nearby bone.

Only a bone biopsy can determine if this has happened. Biopsies involving sinus tissue are taken with flexible instruments inserted through the nose. Biopsies of the sinus tissue are also used to test for immotile cilia syndrome, a rare disorder that can cause people to suffer from recurrent infections, including chronic sinus infection, bronchitis and pneumonia.

Antibiotics are standard treatments for bacterial sinus infections. Antibiotics are usually taken from 3 to 28 days, depending on the type of antibiotic. Because the sinuses are deep-seated in the bones, and blood supply is limited, longer treatments may be prescribed for people with longer lasting or severe cases. Overuse and abuse of antibiotics have been causing a major increase in antibiotic resistance. Therefore, patients with sinus symptoms should consider taking an antibiotic only if symptoms including discolored nasal discharge persist beyond days.

Antibiotics help eliminate a sinus infection by attacking the bacteria that cause it, but until the drugs take effect, they do not do much to alleviate symptoms. Some over-the-counter medications can help provide relief.

Topical nasal decongestants can be helpful if used for no more than three to four days. These medications shrink swollen nasal passages, facilitating the flow of drainage from the sinuses. Overuse of topical nasal decongestants can result in a dependent condition in which the nasal passages swell shut, called rebound phenomenon. Antihistamines block inflammation caused by an allergic reaction so they can help to fight symptoms of allergies that can lead to swollen nasal and sinus passages.

Over-the-counter combination drugs should be used with caution. Some of these drugs contain drying agents that can thicken mucus. Only use them when prescribed by your allergist.

These prescription nasal sprays prevent and reverse inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages and sinus openings, addressing the biggest problem associated with sinus infection. Topical nasal corticosteroid sprays are also effective in shrinking and preventing the return of nasal polyps.

If drug therapies have failed, surgery may be recommended as a last resort. It is usually performed by an otolaryngologist. Anatomical defects are the most common target of surgery. Your surgeon can fix defects in the bone separating the nasal passages, remove nasal polyps, and open up closed passages. Sinus surgery is performed under either local or general anesthesia, and patients often can go home on the same day. A corticosteroid nasal spray that reduces inflammation and swelling of the lining of the nasal passages may also be used during treatment.

In some people, a sinus infection may be caused by a fungus or a bacterium other than those normally associated with sinusitis. People who have an impaired immune system are at risk for these unusual infections. It also may include people who must use an oral or inhaled corticosteroid medicine such as prednisone. Fungal sinusitis, which accounts for a significant number of chronic sinusitis cases, does not respond to antibiotic treatment and may need treatment with antifungal medicines, corticosteroids, or surgery.

Surgery may be required if you have taken antibiotics for an extended period of time but still have symptoms or when complications such as infection of facial bones are likely. Sinusitis may be difficult to diagnose, because it often causes the same symptoms as a cold or other viral illness, especially in its early stages. It can be particularly difficult to identify sinusitis in children. If your child or you have frequent sinus infections, learn what signs to watch for, and begin home treatment immediately.

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are often vague and may not respond well to treatment. It may take time and patience to find a successful treatment. Make sure your child gets all the recommended immunizations.

Some immunizations, such as pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, may help prevent ear and sinus infections. Home treatment may relieve symptoms of pain and pressure associated with short-term acute sinusitis. Home treatment may improve drainage of mucus from the sinuses and prevent the need for antibiotics. If you have chronic sinusitis, you'll probably need to continue the above home treatment measures for a long period of time to keep your sinuses clear. Medicines may be needed when symptoms of sinusitis are severe or do not improve.

The goals of treatment with medicine are to:. Medicines are used and sometimes combined to treat sinusitis.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you are taking antibiotics for a sinus infection, do not stop taking the antibiotics early just because you feel better.

Take the entire course of antibiotics. The infection may not go away if you do not take all of the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Antibiotic treatment is successful in most cases of short-term acute sinusitis when it is caused by bacteria. You should notice improvement within 3 to 4 days after you begin taking an antibiotic. Chronic sinusitis may last 12 weeks or longer and usually requires 3 to 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment. Symptoms may persist or return despite adequate antibiotic treatment.

A different antibiotic may be needed to treat the infection. Referral to an ear, nose, and throat ENT specialist also called an otolaryngologist may be needed if symptoms of sinusitis do not go away despite long-term antibiotic treatment. The goal of surgery is to make drainage of the sinuses better, usually by removing the blockage and draining the mucus. This may mean removing:. Surgery may be the only means of getting a badly blocked, infected sinus to drain properly.

But surgery does not always completely eliminate sinusitis. Some people may need a second operation. Surgery is most successful when used along with medicine and home treatment to prevent future sinusitis. A second surgery and future sinusitis may be avoided if antibiotics are taken to prevent reinfection. Endoscopic surgery is preferred over traditional surgery for most cases of chronic sinusitis that require surgery.

It is less invasive, less expensive, and has a lower rate of complications. Very few people need surgery to treat sinusitis. But you may need surgery if ALL of these are true:. The extent of the blockage and other problems determine how extensive your surgery will need to be. Surgery may be limited to removal of infected tissue or small growths polyps inside the nose. More extensive surgery involves removing pieces of bone to create a wider opening to allow a sinus to drain.

Sinus surgery is always performed by an ear, nose, and throat ENT specialist also called an otolaryngologist. Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

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Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Sinusitis. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is sinusitis? Sinus infections often follow a cold and cause pain and pressure in your head and face. What causes sinusitis? Sinusitis can be caused by three things: Viruses. The same viruses that cause the common cold cause most cases of sinusitis. What are the symptoms? Other common symptoms of sinusitis may include: A headache. Bad breath.

A cough that produces mucus. A fever. Pain in your teeth. A reduced sense of taste or smell. How is sinusitis diagnosed? How is it treated?

But there are some things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms: Drink plenty of fluids. Put a hot, damp towel or gel pack on your face for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Breathe warm, moist air from a steamy shower, a hot bath, or a sink filled with hot water. Use saline nose drops and sprays to keep the nasal passages moist and use saline nasal washes to help keep the nasal passages open and wash out mucus and bacteria.

Try over-the-counter medicine to help relieve pain and pressure in your head and face. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems.

Donald Ford, a family medicine physician in Ohio, this is a myth. Determining how long your sinus infection will last is dependent on what type you are experiencing. Acute sinusitis lasts for less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis can last for more than 12 weeks. The majority of sinus infection sufferers will see their symptoms start to resolve after about 10 days.

Talk to your doctor to see if allergies are causing your sinusitis. You may need to seek an allergy specialist for allergic immunotherapy shots or similar treatments. Keeping your allergies under control can help prevent repeated episodes of sinusitis. Nasal sprays, saline sprays, and pain relief are all effective treatments for acute sinusitis.

Most children will fully recover from a sinus infection without antibiotics. Antibiotics are used for severe cases of sinusitis or in children who have other complications because of sinusitis. An ENT specialist can take a culture of nose drainage to better understand the cause of an infection. The ENT specialist can also examine the sinuses more closely and look for any problem in the structure of the nasal passages that could lead to chronic sinus problems.

Acute sinusitis usually goes away within one to two weeks with proper care and medication. Chronic sinusitis is more severe and may require seeing a specialist or having long-term treatment to address the cause of the constant infections.

Chronic sinusitis can last for three or more months. Good hygiene, keeping your sinuses moist and clear, and treating symptoms immediately can help shorten the course of the infection. Many treatments and procedures exist for both acute and chronic cases.

Even if you experience multiple acute episodes or chronic sinusitis, seeing a doctor or specialist can greatly improve your outlook after these infections. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies.

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