Sinusitis
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis means your sinuses are inflamed. It's usually caused by an allergic reaction or an infection in your sinuses that stops them from working properly.
Sinuses are small spaces filled with air inside your skull. You have them in your cheek bones, behind and between your eyes,
and in your forehead. They make mucus, which normally drains through small openings into the nose.
Any of your sinuses can get blocked and inflamed, leading to sinusitis.
You can have sinusitis that lasts a long time (called chronic sinusitis) or you may get short attacks. Short attacks that last for four weeks or less are called acute sinusitis. Here we look at treatments for acute sinusitis, which is the more common type.
You often get sinusitis after you've had a viral
infection such as a cold or flu.
1
Hay fever and other
allergies can also cause sinusitis.
1 Sometimes a tooth abscess can cause sinusitis.
infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
Source:
Henry DC, Moller DJ, Adelglass J, et al.
Comparison of sparfloxacin and clarithromycin on the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.
Clinical Therapy. 1999; 21: 340-352.
Henry DC, Moller DJ, Adelglass J, et al.
Comparison of sparfloxacin and clarithromycin on the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.
Clinical Therapy. 1999; 21: 340-352.
hay fever
You get hay fever when your immune system reacts too strongly to pollen or mold. Your doctor may call it seasonal allergic rhinitis. The most common symptoms are sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and red, itchy eyes. You may also cough or wheeze.
You get hay fever when your immune system reacts too strongly to pollen or mold. Your doctor may call it seasonal allergic rhinitis. The most common symptoms are sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and red, itchy eyes. You may also cough or wheeze.
allergy
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.
Source:
Henry DC, Moller DJ, Adelglass J, et al.
Comparison of sparfloxacin and clarithromycin on the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.
Clinical Therapy. 1999; 21: 340-352.
Henry DC, Moller DJ, Adelglass J, et al.
Comparison of sparfloxacin and clarithromycin on the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.
Clinical Therapy. 1999; 21: 340-352.
If your sinusitis lasts longer than a week, you may have a
bacterial infection.
2
bacterial infection
You get a bacterial infection when invade a part of your body. There are many different types of bacteria, some of which are harmful and cause disease.
You get a bacterial infection when invade a part of your body. There are many different types of bacteria, some of which are harmful and cause disease.
Source:
Snow V, Mottur-Pilson C, Hickner JM.
Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for acute sinusitis in adults.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2001; 134: 495-497.
Snow V, Mottur-Pilson C, Hickner JM.
Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for acute sinusitis in adults.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2001; 134: 495-497.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Henry DC, Moller DJ, Adelglass J, et al.Comparison of sparfloxacin and clarithromycin on the treatment of acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis.Clinical Therapy. 1999; 21: 340-352.
- Snow V, Mottur-Pilson C, Hickner JM.Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for acute sinusitis in adults.Annals of Internal Medicine. 2001; 134: 495-497.
This information was last updated on May 12, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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