How long to get over a sinus infection

In the digital age, we are accustomed to getting what we want quickly. But some things, like sinus infections, take their time. Understanding the causes of these infections can help you be more realistic in your treatment plan.

Causes of Your Sinus Infection

Nearly 31 million Americans get a sinus infection each year, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

The inflammation of the lining of your sinuses, the air-filled pockets in your face that sit around your nose, is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. A viral upper respiratory infection, also known as the common cold, or allergies can block your sinuses. This blockage promotes the development of a secondary infection.

You may have heard the urban legend that you can tell the cause of your sinus infection (bacterial or viral) by the color of your mucus. According to Dr. Donald Ford, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, this is a myth.

“The green-yellow color of mucus that can develop is a byproduct of our own white blood cells, which we use to fight any kind of infection, viral or bacterial, so we can’t tell the cause from the color of the mucus,” he said. “When mucus is thick and dark it usually suggests some mild dehydration, and you should increase fluid intake and use lots of saline spray to keep the mucus thin.”

Sinusitis Symptoms

Many sinus infection symptoms are similar to that of the common cold. They include:

• Discolored mucus
• Post-nasal drainage
• Nasal congestion
• Facial pain/pressure
• Ear pain
• Tooth pain
• Sore throat
• Bad breath

How long these symptoms last depends on the type of sinus infection you are experiencing. Acute sinusitis generally lasts for four weeks or less, while chronic sinusitis can stretch for more than 12 weeks.

Typically, chronic sinusitis is exacerbated by environmental factors, including smoking and allergies. According to Dr. Ford, “Chronic sinusitis may have a number of causes, but the most common cause is allergies. Smoking causes impaired function of the cilia, part of the nasal membranes that remove mucus, and can contribute to developing chronic sinusitis.”

Sinus Infection Treatments

Your ear, nose and throat doctor recommends treating your sinus infection on your own. Start with nasal irrigation a few times a day and over-the-counter medication such as nasal steroid sprays and oral decongestants, if needed.

If you don’t find any relief after 10 days, contact your doctor. You may be prescribed a course of antibiotics.

For those with chronic sinusitis that does not respond well to medical treatment, surgery may be required.

To learn more about how to treat your sinus infection or to schedule an appointment with an ENT expert, contact Carolina Ear, Nose, Throat, Sinus & Allergy today.

Learn More About Sinus Health

• New Drug Could Bring Relief to Sinusitis Patients with Nasal Polyps
• Sinus Issues Have You Feeling Down? Balloons Can Help!

The first few weeks of the common cold aren' fun, but the acute sinusitis that can develop afterwards doesn't help either. Unfortunately, sinus congestion and the common cold go hand in hand. Acute sinusitis frequently is caused by the common cold, but also can be caused by allergies and bacterial and fungal infections.

Sinus infection causes

Sinus infections are caused when the cavities around your nasal passages become inflamed and swollen. This inflammation eventually interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up. This tends to get annoying, because it makes breathing through the nose difficult. It also affects the area around your eyes and face, and can cause a throbbing headache.

Antibiotics and sinus infections

When a sinus infection hits, it seems worse than what you remembered from the last time you had one. This may give you the idea that you need antibiotics, but most clear up without them. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses and aren't recommended within the first week of developing a cold. About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.

Consider these other forms of treatments instead of antibiotics:

• Decongestants
  These medications are available for over-the-counter purchase. Be careful to only take these medications for a few days at most, as they can cause the return of more severe congestions.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
  Aspirins, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve temporary pain.
• Saline nasal spray
  This is used to spray into your nose several times a day to rinse your nasal passages. It can help to prevent and treat inflammation.

Antibiotics only will be needed if the infection is severe, recurrent or persistent.

The likelihood of bacterial infection increases when:

• Symptoms last seven days or more, particularly when symptoms initially improve and then worsen.
• Mucus is thick and yellow or green in color.
• There is facial or sinus tenderness, particularly if it's worse on one side of the face.
• Pain is present in the upper teeth and is worse on one side of the face.

If the infection becomes severe, recurrent or persistent, contact your provider.

Read more about your sinuses:

• Chronic sinusitis: More than a stuffy nose
• Solve chronic stuffy nose with intense cooling
• Your sinus headache may not be what you think
• Unlocking the mystery of your sinuses: Answers to 8 common questions

By Mayo Clinic Health System staff

For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

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