Symptoms of Viral Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the inflammation of any sinus membrane. Viral sinusitis often accompanies an upper respiratory infection. If drainage does not occur, bacteria may be trapped in the sinuses leading to bacterial sinusitis. Viral sinusitis has many common symptoms that can help in diagnosing the condition and differentiate it from bacterial.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of viral sinusitis include thick, yellow or green mucous, and a stuffy nose. Less commonly, there may be a sore throat, foul breath, tiredness, and a weakened sense of smell. You may also have a fever, post nasal drip, ear pressure or a toothache. Headache is the most common symptom of sinusitis, however.

Diagnosis

The location of pain may help in diagnosing which sinus is infected. If touching the forehead is painful, you may have inflamed frontal sinuses. If your teeth or upper jaw ache, the likely culprit is an infection in the maxillary sinuses. If the ethmoid sinuses are affected, the pain will be between your eyes with swelling of the lids and surrounding tissues.

Sphenoid Sinusitis

Sphenoid sinusitis, which can have a neurological impact, presents a headache that is transient, located usually behind the eye, and second most commonly, in the front of the head. The sphenoid sinuses are less commonly affected than the other sinuses, but sphenoid sinusitis can be more serious because of the cavities proximity to the cranial nerve and eyes.

Identification

Although sinusitis symptoms can mimic that of a cold, having symptoms for more than 14 days is a good indicator that a sinus is infected. A physician can diagnose one by noting symptoms and examining the nasal tissues. If the diagnosis isn't clear-cut, the doctor may order a computed tomography or CT scan. The doctor can exclude possibilities by testing nasal secretions for bacterial or fungal infections, ordering a blood or sweat test to check for cystic fibrosis, or by taking a biopsy of nasal membranes.

Antibiotic Overuse

A study cited by the Bureau of Epidemiology, Utah Dept. of Health, showed that 90 percent of sinusitis cases are viral. Treatment for a viral infection does not include antibiotics, though bacterial sinusitis does. Nonetheless, two-thirds of the 13 million patients diagnosed with sinusitis annually are prescribed antibiotics. One way to differentiate is in severity of symptoms. Viral sinusitis is less painful, produces less swelling, and is less likely to result in fever.

Tips

To aid your physician in making a diagnosis, keep track of symptoms, to include the location of any pain. Telling your doctor how long your symptoms have presented will also be helpful. Finally, don't insist on a prescription for antibiotics. Antibiotics will treat bacterial not viral sinusitis.

Resources

• My Student Health Zone--Sinusitis