Expectations (prognosis)
Sinus infections are usually curable with self-care measures and medical treatment. If you are having recurrent attacks, you should be checked for underlying causes such as nasal polyps or other problems.
Complications
Although very rare, complications may include:
- Abscess
- Antibiotic resistance, a situation in which the bacteria causing your sinusitis no longer responds to medicines used to treat the infection
- Meningitis, an infection that spreads to the brain
- Orbital cellulitis, an infection that spreads to the area surrounding the eye
- Osteomyelitis, an infection that spreads to the bones in the face
Calling your health care provider
Call your doctor if:
- Your symptoms last longer than 10 - 14 days or you have a cold that gets worse after 7 days
- You have a severe headache, unrelieved by over-the-counter pain medicine
- You have a fever
- You still have symptoms after taking all of your antibiotics properly
A green or yellow discharge does not necessarily indicate a sinus infection or the need for antibiotics.
Prevention
The best way to prevent sinusitis is to avoid or quickly treat flus and colds:
- Get an influenza vaccine each year.
- Wash your hands frequently, particularly after shaking hands with others.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants and other chemicals that could boost your immune system and help your body resist infection.
- Reduce stress.
Additional tips for preventing sinusitis:
- Avoid smoke and pollutants.
- Use a humidifier to increase moisture in your nose and sinuses.
- Drink plenty of fluids to increase moisture within your body.
- Take decongestants during an upper respiratory infection.
- Treat allergies promptly and appropriately.
References
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Evidence-based care guideline for management of acute bacterial sinusitis in children 1-18 years of age. Cincinnati (OH): Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; 2006 Jul 7. 17 p.
Slavin RG. The diagnosis and management of sinusitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Dec 2005; 116(6 Suppl): S13-47.
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