A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is marked by swelling and inflammation of the sinuses. At its outset, a sinus infection with fever may not be cause for alarm, as it can usually be cleared up through self-care or antibiotic use. Sinus infections may become serious if left untreated, however. It is possible for an untreated sinus infection to spread and cause meningitis or blood clots that increase a person’s risk of having a stroke. A sinus infection with fever may also contribute to asthma symptom flare-ups, develop into a chronic sinus infection, or lead to an ear infection.
When a person has a sinus infection with a fever, he is often advised to see a doctor. Individuals with minor cases of sinusitis, however, may be encouraged to care for it at home and seek a doctor’s help if symptoms get worse or do not go away in a reasonable amount of time. A sinus infection with fever, on the other hand, may grow serious if left untreated, and a doctor may need to evaluate a case to determine whether antibiotic treatment is warranted. Still, a basic sinus infection with fever isn’t usually serious. This type of infection usually responds well to antibiotics, and other than discomfort caused by sinus infection symptoms, a patient may not experience any troubling effects.
Some people who have sinus infections with fevers, however, do develop serious complications. For example, a person who has a sinus infection with fever may develop meningitis, which is marked by inflamed membranes of not only the brain, but also the spinal chord. This may occur when the infection that normally affects the sinuses and nasal passages spreads and inflicts the lining of the affected person’s brain. This type of infection can be severe and has the potential to be deadly.
A person who has a sinus infection with fever may also develop blood clots as a complication of the sinus infection. In some cases, the infection that inflicts a person’s sinuses can also have an affect on the veins that are in the surrounding area. As a complication of the infection, a patient may develop blood clots that could contribute to a stroke.
In some cases, a person who has a sinus infection with fever may also develop other complications that may be troubling but less potentially devastating. For example, a person with a history of asthma may have asthma flare-ups as a result of a sinus infection. Some people may also develop ear infections in relation to the infection of the sinuses. Additionally, an individual may develop a chronic sinus infection, which means his symptoms may last for longer than eight weeks.
