Acute sinusitis, or acute rhinoinusitis, is an inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, structures around the nasal cavities. Most of the time, this occurs due to a viral or allergic infection, due to an allergic rhinitis attack, and only in some cases is a bacterial infection, but it can be difficult to differentiate the causes, as they all cause similar symptoms such as coughing, facial pain and runny nose. Learn how to identify symptoms and differentiate types of sinusitis.
To be classified as acute sinusitis, inflammation should last up to 4 weeks, and its symptoms should improve naturally or with the treatment prescribed by the gpation or otolaryngologist. When not treated, or when it occurs from resistant or weakened immune microorganisms, for example, it can progress to subacute sinusitis, lasting up to 3 months, or chronic sinusitis, with symptoms that persist and exceed 3 months.
The most common symptoms that usually occur in the context of acute sinusitis are:
It can often be difficult to tell the difference, just by symptoms, the cause of acute sinusitis, but in most cases it is caused by a cold or an outbreak of allergic rhinitis, which can also cause symptoms such as sore throat, conjunctivitis and sneezing
Acute sinusitis occurs most of the time, however, in some cases it can develop into chronic sinusitis. To differentiate these situations, attention should be paid to the following details that may vary, such as:
It is usually the result of acute sinusitis that has not been adequately treated.
Because it is caused by more resistant bacteria, or by different types of acute infections, such as Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus and Fusobacterium ssp, Streptococcus sp and Staphylococcus aureus, or by fungi and a persistent allergy.
Sinusitis can also be recurrent, meaning there are cases of acute sinusitis that recur 3 times over a period of 6 months or 4 times a year, which usually occurs in people with weakened immunity or who have recurrent allergic rhinitis attacks.
Diagnosis of sinusitis is clinical, i.e. it is done only with a medical evaluation and a physical exam. Only in certain cases of doubt, or in case of chronic sinusitis, to better determine the cause, your doctor may order certain tests such as X-rays, CT scans of the face, or nasal endoscopy.
Once the cause is confirmed, your doctor should guide the recommended treatment, usually with anti-inflammatory, nasal or oral decongestants and general measures such as staying well hydrated throughout the day, misting and washing your nose with a saline solution.
Antibiotic use is recommended only in cases of suspected bacterial infection and, in more severe and chronic cases, drainage of accumulated secretions may be necessary. Learn more about treating sinusitis.
See also the home remedies that can help, in the following video: