Acute sinusitis or acute rhinosinusitis is an inflammation of the lining of the face of the face, structures surrounding the nasal cavities. Most of the time it occurs due to a viral or allergic infection, due to an allergic rhinitis attack, and in some cases can occur due to a bacterial infection, but it can be difficult to differentiate the causes because they all cause similar symptoms such as pain. on the face and nasal discharge.
To be classified as acute sinusitis, inflammation must last a maximum of 4 weeks and your symptoms must naturally improve the treatment prescribed by your family doctor or otolaryngologist.
- When this type of sinusitis is not treated or occurs by resistant microorganisms or because it has a weakened immune system.
- It can evolve into subacute sinusitis lasting up to 3 months; in the most advanced cases of chronic sinusitis.
- With symptoms that persist and exceed 3 months.
If you have sinusitis, select the following symptoms and their likelihood:
It can often be difficult to differentiate, only by symptoms, from the cause of acute sinusitis, but most of the time it is caused by a cold or an outbreak of allergic rhinitis, which can also cause symptoms such as sore throat, conjunctivitis and starlings.
In some cases, sinusitis can develop into chronic sinusitis. To differentiate these situations, you should consider the following details that may vary, such as:
It is usually the result of acute sinusitis that has not been adequately treated.
It can be caused by bacteria resistant to different types of acute infections such as Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus and Fusobacterium ssp, Streptococcus sp and Staphylococcus aureus, or by persistent allergies.
Sinusitis can also be recurrent, i. e. there are cases of acute sinusitis repeated 3 times over a period of 6 months or 4 times for 1 year, which usually occurs in people immunized below. Recurrent allergic rhinitis seizure.
Diagnosis of clinical sinusitis, if you choose, only with a medical evaluation and a physical exam. Only in specific cases or in people with chronic sinusitis, your doctor may order tests such as x-rays, facial scans, or nasal endoscopy to determine why.
Once the cause is confirmed, the doctor must direct the most appropriate treatment, generally with the prescription of anti-inflammatories, nasal and oral decongestants and general measures such as hydrating adequately throughout the day, nebulizing and washing with saline solution.
Antibiotics are recommended only if there is a suspected bacterial infection and, in more severe and chronic cases, accumulated secretion may need to be drained. See more details on how to treat sinusitis.