Knowing when an acute sinus infection is viral or bacterial is imperative for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Each can have very devastating effects if the right path of treatment is not applied.

For instance, a viral and bacterial are two totally separate types of infections. Antibiotics do not work against viruses but are unfortunately frequently prescribed for sinusitis. The drugs overuse can foster resistant bacteria, which for sinusitis can have a damaging effect.

In fact antibiotics are only necessary when you have an acute bacterial sinusitis infection. However, many mild infections do get better within a week or so on their own and antibiotics may speed up recovery by just a day or two.

It is not recommended to continually take antibiotics because the body can build up resistance.

With the aforementioned, self-diagnosis is not recommended. However, there are signs of a sinus infection. If you have any of the below, it’s time make an appointment with Dr. Mariotti – a renowned sinusitis doctor.

Below you will find a few sinus infection symptoms

Sinus Discharge

When you have a sinus infection you’ll notice a greenish-yellow discharge from your nose. This comes from your infected sinuses and drains into your nasal passages. Sometimes this discharge from the  nose can flow down your throat causing a tickle or an itch down the back of your throat. This is called postnasal drip.

Cough

As the discharge from your sinuses drains down the back of your throat, it can cause plenty of irritation, especially over a long period of time. This can lead to a persistent and annoying cough.

Take note: A sinus cough is particularly aggravating because it tends to be worse at night, making sleeping difficult.

Tip: Sitting upright to sleep can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your coughing.

Pain

You have several different sinuses above and below your eyes, and behind your nose and any of these can hurt when you have a sinus infection. Inflammation and swelling in the sinuses causes them to ache with a dull pressure. You may feel pain in your forehead, on either side of your nose, in your upper jaws and teeth, or between your eyes.

Congestion

Your inflamed sinuses may also be restricting how well you can breathe through your nose. The infection causes swelling in your sinuses and in your nasal passages.

 Take note: A sinus cough is particularly aggravating because it tends to be worse at night, making sleeping difficult.

 Tip: Sitting upright to sleep can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your coughing.

Headache

The relentless pressure and swelling in your sinuses can reverberate throughout your skull and leave you with a massive headache. The pain can also show up in places you might not expect. Sinus pain can give you earaches, toothaches, and pain in your jaws and cheeks. Sinus headaches are often at their worst in the morning because fluids have been collecting all night long.

Take note: Sinus headaches are often at their worst in the morning because fluids have been collecting all night long

Sore Throat

That postnasal drip can leave you with a raw and aching throat. If your infection lasts for a few weeks or more, the mucus can irritate and inflame your throat as it drips, resulting in a painful sore throat.

Ready to know more about your sinus infections symptoms?

Contact Dr. Mariotti at 570-714-3434