Berrylin J. Ferguson, M.D. Pittsburgh, PA
One of the most common causes is a viral infection (the common cold). Patients usually have symptoms for < 10 days. A bacterial sinus infection will usually start as a viral infection. Patients usually have symptoms for longer than 7 to 10 days and the symptoms are more severe than the symptoms patients have with a cold. The symptoms of yellow nasal discharge, nasal congestion and frequent facial pain or pressure can be identical regardless of whether the cause is a cold (viral infection) or a bacterial sinus infection. A culture is required to identify the form of bacteria causing the sinus infection.
Allergy is also a form of inflammation. When allergy affects the nose, it is called allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis can cause increased mucus production, nasal congestion and facial pain or pressure. Allergic rhinitis does not cause fever or yellow mucus production. Patients who have allergic rhinitis are much more likely to have episodes of infectious sinusitis as well as chronic rhinosinusitis not associated with infection.
Patients who have had symptoms of rhinosinusitis for over three months are less likely to have a bacterial cause of their sinusitis and more likely to have inflammation of the sinuses associated with allergy, asthma or nasal polyps.
faq02-drHwang
Peter Hwang, M.D.
Associate Professor and Director
Stanford Sinus Center Stanford, CA
While the fundamental causes of sinusitis are not completely understood and are being actively researched, we do know some of the risk factors for sinusitis. Allergy and environmental sensitivities may cause nasal swelling that contributes to infection. Structural narrowing of the sinus anatomy may cause blockage of the sinus drainage pathways, making it hard for the sinuses to clear mucus and debris. In addition, genetics almost certainly plays a role, although specific genes for sinus disease have not yet been identified.
