Sinusitis Uncovered: Viral, Bacterial & Fungal – Know the Differences & Best Treatments!
- Posted on: Mar 13 2025
You may have heard that there are different kinds of sinusitis. Viral, bacterial, and fungal sinusitis can all be present, and sometimes there is a combination of these different types simultaneously.
They do have distinctly different symptoms, courses, and treatments.
Viral Sinusitis
Viral sinusitis is typical of the common cold. There is an abrupt onset of congestion, runny nose, drainage, facial pressure, headache, and often other symptoms such as a sore throat or cough. The secretions tend to be clear but may turn discolored over time. It typically has a course of 5-7 days, then begins to clear.
Symptomatic treatments available over the counter can reduce the symptoms while you are waiting for it to resolve.
Bacterial Sinusitis
Bacterial sinusitis typically comes on more slowly (unless it initially started as a viral infection). Similar symptoms as viral sinusitis in the beginning may be present with less of an abrupt course. Secretions are typically more discolored and the symptoms tend to be more severe. This type of sinusitis may linger for weeks, months, or even years if it is not treated effectively, becoming a chronic condition.
Chronic bacterial sinusitis does not have traditional sinusitis symptoms and the patient may be totally unaware that they have sinusitis. Plugged ears, chronic cough, “allergies”, mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, hoarseness and many other symptoms may be the only sign of this condition. Having early and appropriate treatment for bacterial sinusitis using oral antibiotics, and oral steroid, saline rinses, and if possible antibiotic/ steroid nose sprays can resolve this condition quite easily in the early phases. In later and more chronic stages, it may not respond to medical treatment. In these cases, in office balloon sinuplasty procedures can be very effective in resolving the infection.
Fungal Sinusitis
Fungal sinusitis is actually a severe allergic reaction that the patient has to mold spores. In these patients, that severe allergic reaction creates polyps in the nose and sinuses. The polyps block the breathing as well as the ability for the sinuses to drain. This results in chronic mixed fungal and bacterial sinusitis. Similar symptoms to a bacterial sinusitis but with an even slower and insidious onset. Frequently having almost complete inability to breathe from one or both nostrils. The polyps can be so large as to be visible in the nose in later stages.
As in bacterial sinusitis, early medical treatment to include oral antibiotics, oral steroids, antibiotic nose sprays that target mold and bacteria, and saline rinses may resolve the infection. In later stages, it may require balloon sinuplasty procedures as well as polyp removal which is a simple office procedure. More importantly, a PPP (Polyp Prevention Program) is critical thereafter using immunotherapy with allergy drops, along with the new biological allergy treatments that prevent polyp formation.
Schedule a Consultation
If you or your loved ones suffer from sinusitis issues we can painlessly evaluate with video endoscopic and in office mini CT scan and lay out the best approach to resolve your issue and effectively prevent recurrence. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting relief! Call or securely text our clinic today at 512-601-0303 to request an appointment.
Tagged with: Allergic Fungal Sinusitis, bacterial sinusitis, Balloon Sinuplasty, best treatment for sinus infection, Chronic Sinus Infection, sinusitis, Viral sinus infection
Posted in: acute fungal sinusitis, Balloon Sinuplasty, Chronic Sinus Infection, nasal congestion, sinus headache, Sinus Infection, Sinus Surgery
