An “acute” sinus infection lasts anywhere from ten days up to eight weeks. A “chronic” infection lasts even longer. It is ongoing — it may seem like it's improving, and then it comes right back as bad as it was at first. Chronic sinus infections may drag on for months at a time.
Acute sinusitis lasts for less than four weeks. Chronic sinusitis can last for more than 12 weeks. The majority of sinus infection sufferers will see their symptoms start to resolve after about 10 days. While one to two infections a year is considering normal, more than four requires medical attention.
There is a subcategory of acute sinusitis, called recurrent acute sinusitis, which occurs when someone gets four or more sinus infections in a year, with symptoms resolving after each one. Subacute sinusitis lasts one to three months. Chronic sinusitis lasts three months or more.
If after 10 days, your symptoms have not improved, see your primary care doctor. You may have an acute sinus infection. If it lasts four weeks, you potentially have a sub-acute sinus infection that needs more aggressive treatment. If symptoms last over 12 weeks, you're likely dealing with a chronic infection.
Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting sinus inflammation (swelling) and infection. It can linger over a period of time, typically longer than 12 weeks. The sinuses are four paired cavities (spaces) in the head. These spaces are connected by narrow channels.
"Chronic sinusitis can be caused by an allergy, virus, fungus, or bacteria and can go on for months or even years," says Dr.
If your sinus infection does not improve within five to seven days after you finish the whole course of antibiotics, or if you experience another sinus infection within a few weeks, you may be referred to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist for treatment.
When there is excessive pain in your eyes, ears, head or throat, you likely have a severe sinus infection. And if you can't open your eyes or you feel dizzy, these are major warning signs that your sinusitis is at a dangerous level.
If the condition lasts longer than ten days, or there is a worsening of symptoms after five to seven days, the sinusitis is more likely caused by bacteria than a virus.
As your body works hard to fight off the sinus infection, you'll feel more tired than usual. Fatigue can be also be caused by head pain, a lack of adequate sleep, and difficulty breathing due to sinusitis.
See a doctor if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
Also in rare cases, sinus infections in the rear center of one's head can spread into the brain. This can lead to life-threatening conditions like meningitis or brain abscess, Dr. Sindwani says. “Before antibiotics, people would die from sinusitis,” he says.
Acute sinusitis usually starts with cold-like symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2 to 4 weeks. Subacute sinusitis usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis symptoms last 12 weeks or longer. Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.
If your infection is allowed to linger, it could also result in some potentially serious complications. These types of issues are rare, but they do occur. A sinus infection can spread to the eyes, causing redness, swelling, and reduced vision. In very severe cases, it can even cause blindness.
The typical amoxicillin dosage for a sinus infection is 500 mg every 8 hours, or 875 mg every 12 hours, taken for 5 to 10 days. This may vary based on the severity of your infection. Body weight will determine the dosage for children. You can take amoxicillin with or without food.
Sinusitis and earache are closely related as a sinus congestion often develops into an ear congestion. Infected sinuses tend to swell and become congested with mucus, in turn exerting painful pressure on nearby body parts, such as the middle ear. This leads to experiencing severe discomfort in one or both ears.
If you have a weak immune system , you are more likely to develop sinus infection from bacteria or mold. Other things that can cause sinus infections are colds, seasonal allergies, nasal polyps or a deviated septum.
Chronic sinusitis develops when the passages and sinus cavities are unable to drain mucus efficiently due to blockage, inflammation, or a buildup of mucus, germs, and bacteria.
Infected mucus can spread bacteria or fungus down to the digestive tract. Although people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and similar gastric conditions are the most vulnerable, anyone with sinusitis may end up facing an upset stomach or diarrhea alongside their other symptoms.
If you feel that you are blocked up but are not really producing mucus, then this is more indicative of a physical abnormality, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum. It is quite common for people to complain of having a blocked nose on one side.
Because your body is trying to fight off the sinus infection it is expending more energy than normal which can make you feel fatigued, even to the point of wanting to sleep all day.