Bacterial Sinus Infection Ailments Can Affect Anyone

A bacterial sinus infection can affect infants up to the elderly. The tender cheeks, the pressure between the eyes, the headaches and the nasal congestion can affect anyone. We have four pairs of sinuses in our facial area and these are lined with mucus membranes and connected to the nasal passages. When one of these nasal passages is red, inflamed and blocked with mucus or pus, these are signs of a bacterial sinus infection.

A bacterial sinus infection has different levels of gravity:

The acute bacterial sinus infection usually affects a person for less than four weeks
The subacute bacterial sinus infection is present in the person’s system for around 10 weeks
The chronic bacterial sinus infection affects a person for more than 10 weeks and sometimes when cured, returns.

Sinus infections can be caused by bacteria and viruses. Colds and allergies can lead to a bacterial sinus infection. If you had a cold and cough for more than 10 days and are suddenly having yellow or green mucus secretions, it is possible a bacterial sinus infection may be brewing. Fevers and bad breath are also signs of a bacterial sinus infection.

If the sinus infection is indeed a bacterial sinus infection, an antibiotic treatment is the usual medication. Still, antibiotics sometimes do not work, especially if the supposed bacterial sinus infection is actually viral. You can attempt to prevent contracting a bacterial sinus infection by:

avoiding people who have an upper respiratory ailment
receiving an influenza vaccination on a yearly basis to keep the flu at bay
taking flu medications when flu symptoms begin
taking zinc carbonate lozenges since studies have shown it can reduce the duration of cold symptoms
avoid allergens like cigarette smoke

If you think you have bacterial sinus infection symptoms, consult your doctor for an examination and treatment.