Acute and chronic sinus infection treatment

At first, it may be hard to tell whether you have acute sinus infection or chronic sinus infection. After a diagnosis, you may learn that these two differ not only in the nature of the condition but also in the treatments used to improve individual symptoms. Below is a quick review of the various types of sinus infection treatment for both categories of sinus infection.

Types of Acute Sinus Infection Treatment

With symptoms that persist for a little more than a week to not more than three months, acute sinus infection does not normally require long-term sinus infection treatment. Thus, over the counter and other common medications for minor bacterial infections may be enough to temporarily alleviate your symptoms. After a diagnosis of acute sinus infection, your primary care physician may most likely make recommendations regarding this sinus infection treatment. Antibiotic therapy often presents the lasting and most effective solution. This sinus infection treatment method calls for drugs that are made to kill the most common bacteria that cause inflammation, swelling and all other symptoms associated with sinus infection. Symptoms generally subside a few days after the treatment begins. It is not unusual, however, for you to undergo treatment for as long as 21 days, with the average treatment period pegged at 14 days.

Antibiotic treatment is not foolproof though. In the case of viral sinus infection, no amount of antibiotics will work, no matter how minor the symptoms are. The same holds true with acute sinusitis that stems from sensitivities to certain allergens and sinusitis that is caused by other pathogens. If you have these, sinus infection treatment drugs like antihistamine may be recommended for you.

Types of Chronic Sinus Infection Treatment

For symptoms that do not improve with treatments mentioned above, last for at least 8 weeks and go beyond the 3-month mark, chronic sinus infection treatment may be necessary. Longer courses of high-grade drugs and more intensive treatments like surgical intervention for promoting irrigation are central to managing your chronic sinus infection.

Like with acute sinusitis, however, adjunctive therapies like steam, oral and topical decongestants, diet, saline nasal rinse, intranasal corticosteroids, mast cell stabilizers, and antihistamines may be considered for your chronic sinusitis. These therapies are designed to improve the natural defenses of your upper respiratory tract, promote congestion and proper mucous draining, and reduce pain caused by inflamed sinuses. In conjunction with these, simple sinus infection treatment methods may prove useful. Included in this type of treatment are the preventive measures that help reduce the frequency of your exposure to environmental and chemical irritants. Inpatient care may also be needed if you have intracranial and orbital complications or if you are an immunosuppressed patient, meaning your immune system defenses are weakened.