Is it possible to have a sinus infection on one side

More often than the common cold, sinusitis can cause an increase in your body temperature over You can relieve the fever and some of the discomfort by using over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen Advil and acetaminophen Tylenol.

As with all over-the-counter medications, you should consult your doctor prior to taking them. Children under three months of age who exhibit signs of sinusitis or fever should see a doctor right away. Unlike the common cold, that tends to produce symptoms in multiple locations including the nose, the throat, the bronchi and the lungs, sinus infections are much more specific to the sinus that is infected.

Therefore, phlegm production from the lungs, loss of voice, intestinal symptoms, chest pain or trouble breathing all suggest conditions other than a sinus infection. Chest pain, trouble breathing, or bloody phlegm produced from a cough should prompt evaluation by a doctor right away. In the same way that many colds are inappropriately referred to as a sinus infection, sinus infections can be inappropriately confused with an unusually persistent cold.

It is unusual for the common cold to last beyond days. Instead, since sinusitis often follows the common cold, cold-like symptoms that persist beyond 2 weeks often represent sinusitis.

In fact, acute sinusitis can last for four weeks while chronic sinusitis can last for months. The average adult gets two to three colds a year, and the average child gets six to Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and antibiotics are useless for treatment.

But cold viruses produce swelling of the nasal tissues, which can sometimes block the sinuses. Colds also change the mucus, preventing it from doing its normal job of clearing viruses and bacteria from the sinuses. You may get some sinus pressure when you get a cold, but that doesn't mean you have sinusitis or that you need an antibiotic.

Only about one cold in leads to sinusitis, and you can make the odds work for you by doing what it takes to keep your sinuses draining see below. You can also help your cause by blowing your nose gently without pinching it tightly; forceful blowing can force bacteria up into your sinuses. Many other things can block your sinuses and lead to infection. The list includes allergies, cigarette smoke and other irritating fumes, changes in barometric pressure during flying or scuba diving, nasal polyps, and a deviated nasal septum.

Painful pressure is the main symptom of a sinus infection. Depending on which sinus is involved, the pain is in the forehead frontal sinusitis , over the cheek or in the upper jaw and teeth maxillary sinusitis , behind the eyes ethmoid or sphenoid sinusitis , or at the top of the head sphenoid sinusitis.

Sinus pain usually increases when you bend forward. Nasal congestion and a thick, dark-colored nasal discharge are also common during a sinus infection. When the mucus drips into your throat from the back of your nose, you'll notice a foul taste, and you may get bad breath or a cough.

You may temporarily lose your sense of smell or taste. Finally, you may feel feverish, achy, and tired. In most cases, your doctor can diagnose sinusitis simply by asking about your symptoms. If pressing over your sinuses causes pain, sinusitis is likely. CT scans can be very helpful if your sinusitis is unusually severe or if your doctor suspects complications; plain x-rays are less useful. ENT ear, nose, and throat specialists can also diagnose sinusitis by looking up your nose with a scope.

Many people with sinusitis will recover quickly and completely without taking antibiotics simply by promoting drainage. Here's what you should do:. You may be surprised that antibiotics are not listed as the first step in treatment. While many patients with sinusitis expect antibiotics, they aren't usually needed if good drainage is achieved. Antibiotics have potential disadvantages. They can trigger allergic reactions or cause side effects. Widespread use of antibiotics has encouraged the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria "superbugs".

Less common symptoms are bad breath or mouth breathing. Also, may have a sore throat and throat clearing from postnasal drip. Age Limit. Sinus pain is not a common symptom before 5 years of age.

Part of the common cold. A cold infects the lining of the nose. It also involves the lining of all the sinuses. Bacterial Sinus Infection. A problem when the sinus becomes infected with bacteria. It starts as a viral sinus infection. Main symptoms are increased sinus pain or return of fever. The skin around the eyelids or cheeks may become red or swollen. Thick nasal secretions that last over 14 days may point to a sinus infection.

This can occur in younger children. Allergic Sinus Reaction. Sinus congestion often occurs with nasal allergies such as from pollen. Sneezing, itchy nose and clear nasal discharge point to this cause.

Nasal washes with saline. Antibiotics are not helpful. Antibiotics by mouth.