Recurrent Sinus/ear Infection   

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Pressure in the face associated with fever and colored nasal drainage is often diagnosed as a

 sinus infection and treated with antibiotics.  When the frequency of this diagnosis becomes

 intolerable, an approach toward accurate diagnosis and management action plan becomes

necessary.  The initial issue: Is it one infection re-flaring, or  series of separate infections ?

Reasons for Sinus Infection

 

When the cavities (sinuses) don’t drain well, stagnation, and bacterial infection occur.  The most common reasons for poor drainage:

 

Allergic swelling

Viral infection (lots of exposures)

Structural blockage (polyps)

Scarred sinus opening

Smoking

Cilial Dysfunction

Immune deficits

 

 

 
 

The  work-up of recurrent infection

 

A plain X-ray or CT scan of sinuses

Screening allergy skin tests

Gamma Globulin levels – the G, A,  M

antibodies are defensive

antibodies.

Deficits can produce infection.  E

antibody is the allergy antibody –

elevations are associated with

allergy.

Antibody response following vaccination with Tetanus and Pneumococcus boosters

(blood initially and 6 weeks later)

 

 
 
Text Box: Management and prevention of sinus infections 1. Wash your hands compulsively – use Kleenex – don’t touch nose with bare hands 2. Prevent allergic swelling 3. Avoid smoke 4. Drink as much fluid ( water) as possible to thin mucus 5. At the first sign of infection, a sinus rinse done twice a day can reduce the need for Antibiotics by as much as fifty percent. Stop drying antihistamines, start decongestants such as Sudafed ( if blood pressure is controlled) 6. Get a flu shot early – a Pneumovax injection every ten years 7. Medically approach problems identified by work-up