Acute Sinusitis Symptoms

Learn the difference between acute bacterial and viral sinusitis. What symptoms suggest that the cause is likely bacterial, and therefore, the patient might need antibiotics? Can X-ray, CT, MRI, nasal swabs, or other diagnostic tests help? When is it safe to withhold antibiotics? What will happen if you miss the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis?

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If you are interested in acute care and emergency medicine, I recommend you take my free online course on recognizing life-threatening infections:
A Clinical Approach to Serious Infections in Adults: What Every Physician Should Know:

DISCLAIMER: Please, always keep in mind that my videos are intended for educational purposes only. The content of my videos is NOT medical advice. I do not practice medicine over the internet. If you are a patient and have any questions about your health, please talk to your doctor.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Why we overuse antibiotics in respiratory infections
01:47 What is normal for the common cold
03:45 Signs of a possible bacterial infection: persistent fever
04:17 Double worsening: a new bout of fever
04:41 Prolonged respiratory symptoms
06:11 Severe pain in the sinuses
06:46 Purulent nasal discharge
07:39 Complications of acute bacterial sinusitis
10:41 Diagnostic tests for acute bacterial sinusitis (sinus X-ray, CT, nasal swab)

REFERENCES & RECOMMENDED READING:

3. Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, Brook I, Ashok Kumar K, Kramper M, et al. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Apr;152(2 Suppl):S1–39.

[clinicaltips]

I want to remind everyone that my videos are for educational purposes only. Of course, everyone is welcome to watch, but the information I present is most useful for junior doctors, nurses, and students. As I stated in the description of every video and on my channel homepage, none of this is medical advice for patients. I don't practice medicine over the internet. If you are a patient and have any questions about your health, please get in touch with your doctor.

[Empath]

I had been taking over the counter cold medications since january when I was diagnosed with fluid in my ear. Took antibiotics for a week and 2 days after i stopped symptoms returned. Went back to Dr. and was diagnosed with sinusitus. Just took my last dose of a 2 week long sinusitus treatment this morning. Never had a fever. Im worried treatment was not enough for whatever is causing my problems.

[lokiwhacker]

Over prescribed.. yeah right. I was sick for 2 months. Doctor wouldn't give me antibiotics at first but when I got them I was better in days.

[syedasimhussain]

Better information then any other site

[yuuri]

This was so informative! Where I live, antibiotics are known to be overprescribed. I had no idea that the common cold and other viral respiratory infections were one of the biggest causes!
As a layperson, I'm left with two questions, should you take them:
1. Could a slide from a nose swab or mucous sample be prepared? Even if the exact pathogen isn't identified, couldn't a microscope show whether it's bacterial or viral?

2. Is there a difference in the pathogens that cause sinus infections vs. a cold?

[slumbermoon]

After a sinus & throat inflammation lasting for about 7 weeks, I went to an ENT doctor. He prescribed opioid, cortisone, and antihistamine, all of which knocked me out 😬 Needless to say, I didn’t consume all of them

[andreearovida]

Thank you so much for this straightforward information.

[goodbye]

Such great information. Thank you so much for teaching us!!

[pj]

Yeah I have had a cold for 2 weeks now. I know antibiotics are used too often so I waited it out in hopes it was a viral infection. I couldn’t take it any longer. I went to the doctor after 2 weeks and was given an antibiotic. It may have started out viral but I think it’s bacterial now

[stevestarr]

Thank you Dr Kotarsky for another educational and informative vid on sinusitis being I get these occasionally.

[dnvdxgp]

Why does my temp always, always drop low with respiratory illnesses and usually drops to 96.4

[kufudokungfu]

I have had respitory problem for
Months no sore throut but pain in chest no fever but wet cough

[slumbermoon]

My favorite new phrase: You feel like roadkill 😂😂😂

[muffyrodriguez]

What causes your sinuses to get clogged/ infected and bacteria

[najamartner]

Can sinusitis cause pain in upper gum when You brush Your teeth?

[guQYdjfdwkCFQDFqUTTrqyVrhTN]

Sinusitis 3 months. Went to Er couldn’t take it anymore. ER provided agmentin amox I got better in a week.

[ooooooo]

That was really helpful thank you so much ❤

[Dink]

This info was so valuable. Bloody and semi-solid green and red brown tissue comes out of nose in a clump. What is this? Thank u so much.

[karuru]

I have long periods of illness and never run fevers. it may be a thyroid receptor issue but synthroid is no help. So.. After 2 weeks I expect antibiotics because otherwise I go downhill and am confined to bed. Doctors need to remember that patients are unique and must consider individual clinical history as well as patient experience. I know my body better than a doc who has seen me only a few times!

[Vaarkp]

I don’t know if I have sinus infection or a cold affecting my sinus. I feel like shit, like congestion is the worst