SINUS INFECTION
You have pressure and pain in your face, your head hurts, and you feel like your cold just won’t go away. Is it just a cold or could you possibly have a sinus infection?
Timely Treatment for Sinus Infections
Sinus infections can be painful and take time to heal. At Falls Avenue Immediate Care, we understand that you want to get better, fast. That’s why our centers are open 8 - 7 every day with no appointments necessary. Our caring, friendly medical team can help determine whether or not you have a sinus infection and recommend the proper treatment so you can start feeling better.
What is a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection – or rhinosinusitis – can occur when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed after fluid becomes trapped in the sinuses, allowing germs to grow. Sinusitis most commonly occurs after you've had a cold or a flare up of allergy symptoms and often persists even after other upper respiratory symptoms are gone.
Acute vs. Chronic
There are two types of sinusitis – acute and chronic. Knowing how they differ will help you get the care you need.
Acute sinusitis typically lasts a short period of time, four weeks or less. An acute infection is usually part of a cold or other respiratory illness and medications are generally effective in stopping the infection.
Chronic sinusitis may occur if your sinus infection lasts more than eight weeks or if you have more than four sinus infections each year.
Role of Sinuses
The sinuses are a connected system of hollow cavities in the skull that contain defenses against viruses and bacteria, including a mucous layer and cells that contain tiny hairs (cilia) on their surface that help trap and push out bacteria and pollutants.
Symptoms of Sinus Infections
A sinus infection may exhibit a range of these symptoms:
Stuffy or runny nose
Facial pain or pressure
Sore throat
Fever
Headache
Loss of the sense of smell
Postnasal drip (mucus which drips down the throat from the nose)
Coughing
Fatigue
Weakness
If you have any of these symptoms after having a cold or a bout of seasonal allergies, visit our clinic to have our caring medical team evaluate your condition.