Sinusitis can be a viral, bacterial, fungal, or allergic infection. It results in the inflammation of the mucosa that covers the inner part of the sinuses. This mucous membrane swells and blocks the passage between the sinuses and the nose.
The blocked sinuses are filled with mucus. In the case of an infection, they can also fill with pus. Knowing what the Sinus Infection Symptoms in Allentown are could help a person determine if they need to be seen or not.
Sinusitis can affect all types of sinuses
The maxillary sinusitis (which affects the sinuses in the cheekbones) is the most frequent in adults. The ethmoid sinusitis (affecting the sinuses between the eyes at the base of the nose) affects mostly children and adolescents. Frontal sinusitis is often caused by a particularly narrow entry of these sinuses in some people and/or preceded by ethmoid sinusitis.
Sphenoid sinusitis affects the sinuses behind the nasal cavity and is the rarest form, which means complications are potentially the most serious.
Signs of viral sinusitis
With viral Sinus Infection Symptoms in Allentown, viruses infect the sinus cavity and cause inflammation of the mucous membrane that covers them. The main symptoms of viral sinusitis are:
* Pain in the cheeks or teeth
* Sensitivity to ocular pressure
* A headache (especially at the forehead, behind the eyes or at the back of the head)
* Sore throat
* Stuffy nose
* Nasal congestion
* A runny nose, clear or purulent nasal secretions
* A persistent cough or irritation of the pharynx
* Sneezing
* Fever
* Decreased smell
Signs of bacterial sinusitis
The symptoms of acute bacterial sinusitis are similar to those of viral sinusitis. Bacterial sinusitis is suspected if:
* The symptoms last more than 10 days
* After improvement, the symptoms (a runny nose, fever, pain in the face) get worse
* Nasal secretions become purulent and unilateral
* The pain is clearly unilateral (aches on one side), becomes pulsatile, and increases if lowering your head
What are the possible complications of sinusitis?
Serious complications of sinusitis are rare. However, their rapid management is essential. Two types of complications can occur mainly: ocular and intracranial complications.
Seeing a doctor at this point is a must. For more information, visit our website immediately.