Experts Explain What to Know About Sinus Infections
Allergies in San Antonio are something everyone deals with every year. These often lead to congestion and sinus infections, which can be hard to differentiate from a regular cold or an actual bacterial infection. Dr. Philip Chen from UT Health San Antonio, along with other physicians, break down the confusing topic in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle.
Dr. Chen explains sinuses in simple terms as “pockets in the face next to the nose that are typically full of air. These pockets have a lining of mucosa that helps keep the sinus healthy," which is what becomes inflamed when the sinuses are infected. Any blockage to these sinuses, such as a simple cold or allergies, could lead to a sinus infection.
Some of the symptoms include nasal congestion, facial pain and pressure, including earaches, sore throat, and coughing. Acute infections usually last about ten days, anything over that, and you may be due for a visit to your primary care provider.