How Long Does Sinus Infection Last
Sinus infections are caused by inflammation that occurs in the sinus and nasal cavities. Typical symptoms of sinus infections include, but are not limited to intense headaches, nasal congestion, a runny nose, facial pain and even toothaches. In order to answer the question ‘how long does sinus infection last?’ doctors normally try to divide the illness into three broad categories. Hence, if you have been suffering from a combination of these symptoms for a period of four weeks or less, doctors will say you have a subacute infection. On the other hand, if your sinus infection has lasted anywhere between four and twelve weeks, you are probably suffering from acute sinus infection. If your symptoms continue for any period over twelve weeks, it is likely that you are suffering from chronic sinus infection.
It is difficult to give an explicit answer to the question ‘how long does sinus infection last?’ This is because this infection anywhere between a wide range of intensities. If you have been diagnosed with sinus infection, you should expect to suffer from it for at least a period of two weeks since most cases tend to last for more than this period of time. The best person who can give you an accurate answer to the question ‘how long does sinus infection last’ is your primary care physician, so your best bet would be to consult him. It is possible for a sinus infection to last longer than 2 weeks.
The answer to the question ‘how long does sinus infection last?’ depends primarily on the kind of treatment one is receiving for the sinus. According to research, a staggering 98% of all individuals suffering from virus-induced sinus infections do not receive treatment for their illnesses. Sinus infections that were induced by viral factors normally do not last more than four weeks, so if one is not receiving treatment and is suffering from a sinus infection for a longer period of time, it might be good to consult a doctor and use antibiotics.
If the sinus infection is more serious, the answer to the question ‘how long does sinus infection last?’ becomes more complicated. This is because the range of treatment options increases rapidly once somebody decides to take matters into the hands of medicine rather than just give the infection time to heal itself. Besides antibiotics, people have the option to use decongestants, nasal irrigation techniques, anti-allergy medicine and oral steroids. It is not uncommon for people suffering from acute or chronic sinus infections to be recommended sinus surgery.
Due to the wide range of treatment options available, the length of time for which a sinus infection can last varies. It is important to consult a doctor in order to work out a feasible plan to battle your illness in a healthy way. While in some circumstances, letting the body fight the infection might be the best option; in others, more effective treatment options may be available.
