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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sinus Infection And Severe Headache
Question: I have had a sinus infection for about 3 weeks been on antibiotics for 10 days. I have not been able to smell or taste for 3 weeks. For the last three days I smell burning wires all of the time and I am still unable to taste. Today I have had a severe headache. Could this be a continuation of the sinus infection?
Brief Answer:
Due to sinusitis. Should settle down.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Yes, this is because of the sinusitis.
2. This should settle down after the sinusitis subsides.
3. The local inflammation and infection causes the alteration in smell in taste, including some viruses. The burning smell is due to the Parosmia / Cacosmia which includes getting the same smell everywhere and distorted smell and taste can be due to many causes such as nasal allergy, infections, hypothyroidism, liver dysfunction, drug induced, deficiencies of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Magnesium. Atrophic rhinitis, post nasal drip and acid reflux may also co-exist.
4. Inform your doctor who can continue medication and get a Sinus CT (if your headache and other symptoms persist). This will also help rule out other conditions such as polyps or fungal infection. (Viral and fungal infections will run their course and will not respond to antibiotics).
5. If these investigations are within normal limits there is a possibility that you should get better in time. The recovery time is not predictable. You may follow up with the answers to the above questions, results of the above investigations and treatment for further recommendations.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Due to sinusitis. Should settle down.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Yes, this is because of the sinusitis.
2. This should settle down after the sinusitis subsides.
3. The local inflammation and infection causes the alteration in smell in taste, including some viruses. The burning smell is due to the Parosmia / Cacosmia which includes getting the same smell everywhere and distorted smell and taste can be due to many causes such as nasal allergy, infections, hypothyroidism, liver dysfunction, drug induced, deficiencies of Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Magnesium. Atrophic rhinitis, post nasal drip and acid reflux may also co-exist.
4. Inform your doctor who can continue medication and get a Sinus CT (if your headache and other symptoms persist). This will also help rule out other conditions such as polyps or fungal infection. (Viral and fungal infections will run their course and will not respond to antibiotics).
5. If these investigations are within normal limits there is a possibility that you should get better in time. The recovery time is not predictable. You may follow up with the answers to the above questions, results of the above investigations and treatment for further recommendations.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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