Untreated sinusitis can develop into meningitis
Jun 07, 2004
FIRST I thought that it was the usual cold or flu. I had a stuffy, running nose. But then it got worse.
By Paul semugoma
FIRST I thought that it was the usual cold or flu. I had a stuffy, running nose. But then it got worse.
I was uncomfortable with body pains and a slight fever. Two malaria tests, just to be sure, were negative. I rejected that and considered taking some tablets.
On the third day, I woke up in the night, choking and burning hot.
Staggering out of bed, I got a handkerchief to blow the nose. A stream of fluid came out. I was horrified! I couldn’t smell it, but knew it was pus. I had acute sinusitis.
Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. They are groups of air holes in the bones of the face but their real function is not known. They may be remnants of air holes needed for a human ancestor who lived in water a trillion years ago. To modern man they are holes in the head, which are lined with a thin membrane.
Narrow paths lead out of these to the nose cavity. They help drain the sinuses, maintaining them squeaky clean and sterile.
When the tiny paths are blocked (when you have a cold) fluids may accumulate in the sinuses. They have nowhere to flow. They may then become infected, and this causes acute sinusitis.
The symptoms include a ‘cold’, pain on one side of the face, headache, nasal blockage and pus from the nostril.
One may confuse the pain for a toothache, lose the sense of smell and have a fever.
Your friends (real friends) may tell you that your mouth stinks. It is the pus of course, but you can’t smell it yourself. Anyone can get sinusitis whether children or adults. A few people are more prone to the problem, like those with ‘allergies’.
This is not a problem to treat at home. You need to see a doctor. An antibiotic will be given which helps to control the infection. It should be used correctly —correct dose, for the correct length of time. Sinusitis usually needs more than 10 days’ treatment.
A common mistake is to stop the treatment as soon as one feels better. The sinuses are not yet healed!
Drainage is also very important. The pus has to get out of the air holes. You may aid it when you find the best position of the head that lets it flow.
The doctor can also prescribe some drugs to help. Steam inhalation, and warm compresses may be of help too.
Acute sinusitis, adequately treated, is curable. Without treatment it may become chronic (never heal) or it may extend to the eyes, or the brain causing meningitis. I visited a doctor who prescribed an antibiotic. It was necessary to change the antibiotic, as it was not working well.
The second antibiotic did well and stopped the pus flow.
But because I stopped it too soon, the pus came back. I was well chastened.
I restarted the antibiotic, finished the full course and was really relieved when I was free, both of drugs, and disease.
The writer is a doctor with the International medical Centre
FIRST I thought that it was the usual cold or flu. I had a stuffy, running nose. But then it got worse.
I was uncomfortable with body pains and a slight fever. Two malaria tests, just to be sure, were negative. I rejected that and considered taking some tablets.
On the third day, I woke up in the night, choking and burning hot.
Staggering out of bed, I got a handkerchief to blow the nose. A stream of fluid came out. I was horrified! I couldn’t smell it, but knew it was pus. I had acute sinusitis.
Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses. They are groups of air holes in the bones of the face but their real function is not known. They may be remnants of air holes needed for a human ancestor who lived in water a trillion years ago. To modern man they are holes in the head, which are lined with a thin membrane.
Narrow paths lead out of these to the nose cavity. They help drain the sinuses, maintaining them squeaky clean and sterile.
When the tiny paths are blocked (when you have a cold) fluids may accumulate in the sinuses. They have nowhere to flow. They may then become infected, and this causes acute sinusitis.
The symptoms include a ‘cold’, pain on one side of the face, headache, nasal blockage and pus from the nostril.
One may confuse the pain for a toothache, lose the sense of smell and have a fever.
Your friends (real friends) may tell you that your mouth stinks. It is the pus of course, but you can’t smell it yourself. Anyone can get sinusitis whether children or adults. A few people are more prone to the problem, like those with ‘allergies’.
This is not a problem to treat at home. You need to see a doctor. An antibiotic will be given which helps to control the infection. It should be used correctly —correct dose, for the correct length of time. Sinusitis usually needs more than 10 days’ treatment.
A common mistake is to stop the treatment as soon as one feels better. The sinuses are not yet healed!
Drainage is also very important. The pus has to get out of the air holes. You may aid it when you find the best position of the head that lets it flow.
The doctor can also prescribe some drugs to help. Steam inhalation, and warm compresses may be of help too.
Acute sinusitis, adequately treated, is curable. Without treatment it may become chronic (never heal) or it may extend to the eyes, or the brain causing meningitis. I visited a doctor who prescribed an antibiotic. It was necessary to change the antibiotic, as it was not working well.
The second antibiotic did well and stopped the pus flow.
But because I stopped it too soon, the pus came back. I was well chastened.
I restarted the antibiotic, finished the full course and was really relieved when I was free, both of drugs, and disease.
The writer is a doctor with the International medical Centre