Fungal Sinus Infection

Some sinus infections are caused by fungus. Even though many of the general treatments for sinus infection may work for fungal sinus,  special medicines for treating fungal sinus infections are required.

Fungal sinus infection tends to go overlooked as a cause of sinusitis, partly because of the rarity of fungal sinus infections. Most cases of sinus infection are caused by bacteria. As such these types of sinus infection can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Yet fungal sinus infections may not respond to the types of antibiotics most commonly used for sinus infections.

Major Fungal Sinus Infection Symptoms

In addition to the top 10 chronic sinus infection symptoms, the following symptoms would indicate a fungal sinus infection:

1. Frequent bouts of fever. The fever can come and go. It is common to have fever lasting 5 days, recover and a few of days later, you are down again with another bout.

2. Persistent sore throat which does not heal. This is caused by oral thrush, a fungal infection, medically known as Candida Esophagitis. The main cause of thrush is a weakened immune system. It may also be caused by the destruction of the good bacteria in the body due to consumption of too much antibiotics.

3. Feeling extremely sick and weak. You will look very pale and have extremely low levels of energy.

Diagnosing Fungal Sinus Infections

If your symptoms of sinus infection do not go away or show marked improvement after a few days of over the counter medication, it’s time to consult a professional. Your doctor will ask you about your history of sinus infection and symptoms, and may want to x-ray your sinuses.

General sinusitis symptoms include localized pain and inflammation in affected and surrounding areas. Sinus infections caused by fungus are rare, but not unheard of. Although fungal organisms are abundant and commonly found in many environments, they are typically harmless to those with healthy immune systems. Only in cases of compromised immune systems or extreme fungal conditions do fungal sinus infections usually occur.

Fungus like Curvularia and Aspergillus have been known to cause fungal sinus infections and serious illness, particularly in those with weakened immune system due to stress or illness.

Another factor in fungal sinus infection is allergy to fungus. Sometimes those with fungal sinus infection are allergic to the fungus causing the infection. In these cases the infection is treated with medicine and controlled by cleaning the surrounding areas of all allergens known to produce allergic reactions in the patient.

Patients with fungal allergies may develop ‘allergic fungal sinusitis’ which is a condition where the body reacts to inhaling offensive irritants by releasing histamines which contribute to inflammation.

For this reason, antihistamines and decongestants are important types of medicine to consider when treating any kind of sinus infection.

How to Tell if Your Home has a Mold Problem

For thorough inspection of your home contact a professional house inspector. According to one such professional inspection firm, there is greater than 80% chance that there is unseen mold in your house if there is any visible  black mold in the basement or attic.

Even if you do not see any mold, but the basement or attic has a moldy smell, this is a sign of mold infestation of some degree. The smell of mold is created by gases that molds expel. When in doubt, hire a professional house inspector to investigate and document any household infestations. Many contractors offer free home inspections. If you are buying a house the cost of an inspection is usually paid for by the seller.

Prevention of fungal sinus infection

Just like with any kind of sinus infection, keeping inflammation in check, drinking enough fluids and helping the sinuses to drain will help alleviate conditions that contribute to the outbreak of sinus infection. Though taking a decongestant may seem like a way of merely treating the symptom of congestion, this may also keep infection from occurring or becoming worse.

If your case of fungal sinus infection is not related to allergies it’s important to inspect your living areas for signs of fungal infestation. In some very humid places fungus can easily get out of hand and contaminate fabric, such as pillow cases and other bed clothes. Since we spend about a third of our lives breathing in air right next to these surfaces it’s a good idea to make sure your sheets are washed in sufficiently hot water. The purchase of a quality indoor air purifier is another very good alternative.

Remember to keep your immune system strong. Only by doing so can you hope to avoid a fungal sinus infection!