East Louisville News

You may be able to avoid sinus infections throughout the winter season with the help of several preventative measures.

A sinus infection's most common symptoms are a runny nose, a severe headache, congestion and facial pain.

"Most patients that have an acute episode of sinusitis, and I define that as going on more than a couple of days," Dr. Daniel Mongiardo of Dr. Daniel Mongiardo Sleep & Sinus Center told East Louisville News. "If you have yellow drainage for a day or two, and you're not really symptomatic, that really shouldn't be treated with antibiotics."

However, disregarding sinus symptoms for an extended period of time might exacerbate the symptoms and increase the pain.

"If it's going on for a few days and you can feel it and you maybe have a low-grade fever and you're having pain, that's the time to take an antibiotic," Mongiardo said.

He also cautioned against excessive antibiotic usage, saying that the primary concern was the emergence of "superbugs."

"At some point, there's going to be a bacteria that comes along that's going to be resistant to all antibiotics, and then we're all going to be in very big trouble because we have no way to combat that type of infection," Mongiardo said.

Sinuses are hollow, air-filled cavities that may become inflamed from a variety of factors, including viruses, bacteria and fungus. Additionally, if the infection is viral, it may be transferred to others.

Mongiardo said that it is important to maintain a healthy environment and pointed out that bad habits such as smoking contribute to a variety of issues.

"Unfortunately, a large population of my patients have smokers in the household or they smoke themselves," Mongiardo said. "I tried to aggressively ask them and to coax them into trying to get rid of the cigarettes because all they're doing is paying somebody to cause damage to their health."

People can avoid sinus infections by properly washing their hands before eating and after coming in from the outdoors, as well as by wearing a mask. It is also recommended to minimize contact with pet dander, utilize humidifiers to ease sinus discomfort and pressure, and drink enough water to keep the sinuses moist.

Other measures include replacing floor coverings on a regular basis, frequently cleaning different surfaces in the house and minimizing mold growth as much as possible.

Dr. Daniel Mongiardo Sleep & Sinus Center serves eastern Kentucky, with offices in Hazard, London, Somerset and Lexington.

If you'd like to evaluate your symptoms and are considering seeing a doctor, take Dr. Daniel Mongiardo's Self-Assessment Sinus Quiz.