Richmond Leader

As winter marches on, sinus experts are offering advice on how to prevent sinus infections during the cold-weather season.

Sinuses are hollow, air-filled cavities that can become inflamed for various reasons, including infection from viruses, bacteria or fungus. If the infection is viral in nature, it can be passed to others.

To prevent sinus infections, the Hindustan Times recommends that people wash their hands thoroughly before eating and after coming in from outside. Clean your carpets and rugs often and keep furniture, bedding and surfaces clean. Avoid pet dander in your house, if possible, and keep the windows closed. Use a good humidifier to have steam in your home. Drink enough water so that the sinuses won't dry out, and cover your face when going out in the cold. 

Dr. John Ditto | Richmond Breathe Free

Common symptoms of a sinus infection include a runny nose, headache, congestion, facial pain and even tooth pain. 

"It's important to keep the nasal mucosa moist," Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told the Richmond Leader. "It already has a moist mucosa. But in those patients with chronic sinusitis, the normal mucociliary flow can be damaged and the flow of mucus is impeded."

Ignoring symptoms of a sinus infection for too long can worsen the infection and aggravate the pain. If symptoms lasts for more than three months, the infection is considered to be chronic sinusitis, according to Merck Manual.

"Recurrent sinus infections can produce chronic sinusitis," Ditto said. "And so you treat with antibiotics and, yes, you can get some resistance. But what we found is a chronic sign once you develop chronic sinusitis, it can become an inflammatory disorder."

If symptoms become severe enough and the patient develops chronic sinusitis, stronger measures may need to be taken to address the problem.

"What we found is that treating with antibiotics, only if you have a sinus infection, is effective. But most chronic sinusitis, it needs to be managed with non-antibiotics," Ditto said. "And yes, it does decrease the resistance because you're not exposing those microorganisms to that drug. And then they develop resistance."

It's important for patients to determine the nature of their symptoms to choose the best course of action to relieve pain. If you want to evaluate your symptoms and think you might benefit from seeing a doctor, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.