How long does a nose infection last

During certain times of year, it can be challenging to determine if your stuffy nose is due to allergies, a cold or something else, such as a raleigh sinus infection. Each year, an estimated 31 million Americans are diagnosed with a sinus infection. In order to seek proper treatment and minimize the symptoms, it is important to be familiar with the symptoms of a sinus infection and understand the expected duration.

A sinus infection, which may also be called sinusitis, is a condition which results in inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses are small pockets which are filled with air and are located behind the cheeks, nose and eyes. Each of the sinus pockets are lined with mucus which aids in maintaining healthy sinuses.

There is another type of sinus infection which is called rhinosinusitis. Rhinosinusitis occurs when both the lining of the nasal cavity and the lining of the sinuses are inflamed.

In most cases, sinus infections are caused by an underlying condition which blocks the sinuses, such as allergies or a viral infection.

Sinus Infection Symptoms

Below are some of the most common symptoms of a sinus infection:

• Decreased ability to taste or smell
• Excess mucus
• Facial pain or pressure
• Nasal congestion
• Postnasal drip

In more severe cases, the symptoms can include the following:

• Bad breath
• Cough
• Ear pain
• Sore throat
• Tooth pain

Duration of a Sinus Infection

The two different types of sinus infections are acute and chronic. Acute sinus infections typically last 10 days to a few weeks. Chronic sinus infections, however, can last 12 or more weeks. In many cases, acute sinusitis is associated with a respiratory infection. In comparison, chronic sinusitis is often caused by environmental factors including allergies or smoking.

When a patient has one or two sinus infections a year, it is considered to be normal. Patients who experience more than four sinus infections annually should schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat surgeon to determine if there are other underlying causes.

Treatments

Over-the-counter medications

A nasal decongestant spray can aid in relieving short-term sinus infection symptoms and congestion. However, the use of these sprays should be limited to three days or less. When these products are used for longer periods of time, it can result in a rebound effect and additional nasal congestion. Use caution with a nasal spray as a treatment for sinus infections as prolonged use can worsen the symptoms.

In some cases, a steroid nasal spray, such as fluticasone, triamcinolone or mometasone, can aid in relieving nasal congestion symptoms without the associated risk of rebound symptoms from extended use. These types of products are available at most drug stores over-the-counter.

Other over-the-counter medicines which contain an antihistamine or decongestant can also help with sinus infections. These medicines such as Sudafed, Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin are especially helpful for patients who suffer from allergies.

Decongestants should typically be avoided by people who have high blood pressure, prostate issues, glaucoma, or challenges with sleeping. Follow up with your doctor before taking any medicine to ensure it is the best solution and will not have any negative side effects.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, are used specifically to treat acute sinusitis where other treatments such as nasal steroid sprays, pain medications and sinus rinse/irrigation have failed. A prescription you’re your doctor will be required in order to take an antibiotic for sinusitis.

Side effects associated from taking antibiotics for sinusitis include rash, diarrhea, and stomach issues. Overuse and incorrect use of antibiotics can cause superbugs, which are serious bacterial infections which are not easily treated.

The symptoms of a sinus infection (also known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis), may initially be difficult to distinguish from those of a common cold. If you have a runny nose or some sinus pressure, it may not be the sort of thing that sets off any alarm bells for you. However, sometimes these symptoms will not fade in the way a cold would, and may even become worse. That’s when you’ll want to consult your doctor. It’s important to know the symptoms of sinusitis so that you’ll know what to expect should you be diagnosed with an infection.

How long should it take for a bad sinus infection to go away?

The length of a sinus infection can vary based on the severity and frequency of infections that you experience. Additionally, length may depend on any attempted treatments or interventions. Symptoms associated with a sinus infection include headaches, facial pressure, nasal discharge, fevers, fatigue, and nasal congestion. Sinus infections can be categorized based on duration of symptoms:

Acute Sinus Infection (0-6 weeks): An acute sinus infection refers to any infection or constellation of symptoms that lasts up to 6 weeks. If you have multiple infections with periods of resolution between each infection (i.e. you are symptom free), then you may experience “recurrent” acute sinus infections.

Subacute Sinus Infections (6-12 weeks): If you have an acute sinus infection that extends beyond the 6 week period, then your infection is characterized as subacute.

Chronic Sinus Infections (more than 12 weeks): If you experience symptoms of a sinus infection beyond 12 weeks, then you are likely experiencing a chronic sinus infection. Occasionally, you may have flare-ups of acute sinus infections, with periods between each episode in symptoms subside to some degree but do not completely disappear. In such cases, you likely have a chronic infection with acute exacerbations. Chronic sinus infections can be further classified on whether you have nasal polyps (Chronic Sinus Infections with Nasal Polyposis), or if you do not have nasal polyps (Chronic Sinus Infections without Nasal Polyposis)

Could a sinus infection last for several months?

Yes. A sinus infection and its associated symptoms may last for several months. This is termed as a chronic sinus infection. These may occur with or without nasal polyps. These are the most severe forms of sinus infections and typically require long term courses of antibiotics, steroids, and/or surgery.

What happens if I leave my sinus infection untreated?

Severe sinus infections which are left untreated may have extremely serious health consequences. Complications of sinus infections result from the spread of the infection to surrounding areas, resulting in chronic infection of the bones of the face and skull. Ascending infections may cause intracranial complications such as brain abscess and meningitis. Additionally, the infection may spread to the skin of the soft tissues of the face or eye, causing cellulitis, orbital abscess, and/or blindness which may be permanent. Fortunately, we live in the era of antibiotic treatments, and it is very uncommon for sinus infections to go on for prolonged periods of time. It can make a big difference to recognize sinus infections early on so that the appropriate therapy can be initiated.

Can surgery fix my sinusitis?

Surgery can have an important role in the management of sinus infections, regardless of the duration of symptoms. Surgery can clear the nasal and sinus passageways in order to prevent the buildup of mucus and fluids that harbor infection-causing bacteria. By surgically improving the sinus and nasal passageways, surgery also allows for topical medications to reach critical areas further preventing further infections. You may benefit from sinus surgery if you experience 3-4 sinus infections a year, or subacute and/or chronic infections that fail to respond to appropriate medical therapies, or if you have suffered a complication related to sinus infections.

How do you get rid of a nose infection?

Can a nose infection go away on its own?

What does an infection in your nose feel like?

How do u know if u have a nose infection?