The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by many different viruses
Symptoms
Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Cough
Congestion
Slight body aches or a mild headache
Sneezing
Low grade fever
Generally feeling unwell (malaise)
Causes
Although many types of viruses can cause a common cold, rhinoviruses are the most common culprit.
A cold virus enters your body through your mouth, eyes or nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks.
It also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by sharing contaminated objects, such as utensils, towels, toys or telephones. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after such contact or exposure, you’re likely to catch a cold.
Treatment
There’s no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics are of no use against cold viruses and shouldn’t be used unless there’s a bacterial infection. Treatment is directed at relieving signs and symptoms.
Prevention
Wash your hands
Disinfect your stuff (kitchen and bathroom countertops)
Use tissues
Don’t share your things (glass of water, utensils)
Avoid close contact
Eat well
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Human body consists of many sinuses. The sinuses are a well jointed system of hollow cavities in the skull. Mainly, the sinuses are present around the nose and eyes. Humans have four sets/pairs of sinuses, which lie behind the bones of the face.
Sinusitis
Sinuses around the cheekbones are called maxillary sinuses (the biggest).
Frontal sinuses are located in the low-center of your forehead
Ethmoid sinuses are located in between the eyes.
Sinuses in bones behind the nose are sphenoid sinuses.
Sinusitis is a disease and in known as an inflammation or swelling the sinuses. Air is present in healthy sinuses, but whenever these sinuses become clogged with fluid, germs can grow and cause an infection.
Allergies, bacteria or a virus are the main causes leading to sinusitis.
It is a self-limiting condition, but at times medical attention is needed.
Chronic sinusitis lasts for more than 12 weeks.
Sinusitis can be acute or chronic. It can result from various causative agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies, or even an autoimmune reaction.
It is an uncomfortable and painful condition and usually heals without medical intervention. But, if it not healing on its own and the symptoms last more than 7 to 10 days one should see the doctor.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually depend on the duration and severity of the infection.
Mostly people who have more than two symptoms are categorized under acute sinusitis. At times sinusitis is associated with thick, green or yellow nasal discharge along with facial pain and pressure.
Below are some of the major symptoms:
Blockage of the nose
Usually a nasal discharge
Person is unable to smell
congestion
cough
Aggravated sinusitis has below symptoms:
Fever
Foul-smelling breath
A general tiredness and weakness
Dental pain
Headache
If these symptoms continue for 12 weeks or longer one must visit a doctor, as it could be chronic sinusitis
What are the causes of sinusitis?
Sinus is mainly caused as a result of fluid accumulation in the sinuses. This harbors germs.
Viruses:90 percent of sinusitis in adults is caused due to viral infection
Bacteria: 1 out of 10 cases in adults is caused by bacteria
Pollutants: Chemicals or irritants propels the mucous growth
Fungi: When sinus are infected by fungi it is called as allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS),
What increases the chances of sinusitis?
A history of respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold
Inflammation caused due to nasal polyps, or small growths
A compromised immunity in a person due to some health condition or some kinds of treatment
Allergy to dust, pollen, and animal hair
Deviated nasal septum
What are the types of sinusitis?
Sinusitis is primarily of two types and how soon it recovers is dependent on the type of sinusitis.
Acute sinusitis: This lasts up to 4 weeks and is the most common type.
Chronic sinusitis: Symptoms lasts, or reverses, after 12 weeks. Surgery might be needed to cure it
Diagnosis
A doctor usually carries out a physical examination to check a person suffering from sinusitis. ENT specialist may insert an endoscope into the nose, which provides a detailed image. In cases of persistent or severe sinusitis, a CT scan may be needed.
Treatment
Treatment options depend on the duration of sinusitis
Treatment of acute sinusitis:
Most acute cases heal without any treatment.
A nasal spray may relieve symptoms. In case if one does not recover, home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be used to relieve symptoms. Antibiotics are the treatment of choice as bacterial sinusitis mostly has a bacterial nature. However, it is important to visit a doctor under below mentioned situations:
Symptoms lasting for more than 7 to 10 days.
Fever which shoots upto 101.5° Fahrenheit.
Persistent Headache.
Difficulty in vision
Person is unable to recover even after the medicines.
Chronic sinusitis
Mostly chronic sinusitis does not have a bacterial nature, so antibiotics are unlikely to resolve symptoms. A fungal infection can be treated with antifungal drugs.
In allergic sinusitis, treating allergies with shots or reducing and avoiding exposure to allergens can minimize the infection.
Surgery
If sinusitis is caused by deviated septum surgery is usually recommended. Surgery may also be advised if there are polyps, or if the sinusitis has resisted all other treatments.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the surgical procedure used for treatment and septoplasty is used in case of deviated nasal septum. Treatment may still be required following surgery to prevent the return of sinusitis.
Surgery should always be the last option for treating sinusitis in children.
Prevention
The following steps may help prevent sinusitis:
Maintain good hand hygiene.
Avoid smoking.
On time vaccination.
Refrain from people infected with cold and other respiratory infections.
Use air conditioning units to prevent mold and dust from collecting.
