Acute Sinusitis is generally defined as a short-term condition that usually follows common upper respiratory infection (URI)."Sinusitis" typically implies a bacterial infection, however, this may not always be the case. When a bacterial cause of sinusitis is suspected, the patient is typically treated with antibiotics, decongestants and saline irrigations. These treatments often produce a rapid recovery.
Recurrent Acute Sinusitis is typically defined by episodic sinus infections in which patients recover between infections. Recurrent Acute Sinusitis can usually be managed medically but sometimes surgery is necessary to correct an anatomic abnormality causing the recurrent sinus infections.
Chronic Sinusitis is characterized by ongoing sinusitis symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks and requires more intensive treatment therapies, which can include surgical solutions. Potentially serious and even life-threatening conditions can result from chronic sinusitis. Patients suffering from chronic sinusitis may have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Patients may also have headache, bad breath, and fatigue
- Facial pain/pressure
- Facial congestion/fullness
- Nasal obstruction/ blockage
- Thick nasal discharge/ discolored post-nasal drainage
- Nasal cavity infection
