Have you ever experienced having a runny nose and cough that refuses to go away? When anything you eat seems tasteless and your sense of smell doesn’t seem to work? When you cannot do anything due to severe headache? If so, it is possible that you are suffering from sinusitis.

Did you also know that ninety percent of all cases of sinusitis are caused by bacteria? When you have a common cold, your nasal passages become tender and inflamed. The passage of mucus is blocked, trapping mucus in the sinus cavity. The mucus accumulates in the sinuses, making it an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

The symptoms of a common cold and bacterial sinus infection are very much similar. However, if you continue to suffer from your symptoms for over five to seven days, it is advisable to consult your doctor. You may undergo several tests, such as X-rays, MRI or CT scans, to confirm the occurrence of infection.

Below are the symptoms you need to be aware of that indicates a bacterial sinus infection:

• Nasal congestion, with green or yellow discharge

• Persistent cough

• Fever and fatigue

• Pain in the teeth, especially when bending over

• Severe headache and facial pain

• In some cases, temporary vision loss or having double/blurred vision

• Sneezing, sore throat and muscle ache (rarely caused by sinusitis but may be brought about by the other symptoms)

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. There are several ways to prevent sinus infection. Here are some tips that you can include in your daily routine:

1. Clean your nose properly to prevent infection.

2. Cut down on your smoking, or better yet stop the nasty habit.

3. Eat healthy, drink lots of fluids and avoid taking in too much caffeine or alcohol.

4. Apply hot compress to your face to loosen mucus in the nasal passages. Warm showers are also recommendable to help release tight muscles.

5. Use of humidifier is also advisable to keep the air moist.

6. Wash your hands frequently to prevent spread of bacteria or germs.

7. If you are prone to allergy, take medication as soon as the allergy occurs.

8. When struck with a cold, treat it promptly to prevent infection.

9. Blow your nose gently and frequently to avoid mucus build-up.

10. Steam treatment and nasal irrigation are also recommended.

If you are currently suffering from the infection, here are some treatment options that you can undergo:

1. Use decongestants in cases with common colds to minimize level of congestion in the nose.

2. Take antibiotics to control bacterial infection. Antibiotic treatment usually takes 3 – 4 weeks.

3. Use pain killers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, for pain and headache relief.

4. Oral steroids can also be prescribed to cure bacterial sinus infection.

5. Surgery is an option if you want to take care of the problem completely.

Never ignore bacterial sinus infection. If you suspect that you have the condition, seek medical help at the first sign of the symptoms to avoid complications.