Sinus Infection Causes & Risks

Causes

Infectious sinusitis is caused by bacterial or fungal infection of the sinus cavities. The most common organisms to cause acute sinusitis include:

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing sinusitis. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

Recent viral infection
Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke
Other sources of indoor or outdoor air pollution
Allergies , particularly hay fever
Abnormalities of the facial bones or nasal passages, such as:
- Deviated septum
- Nasal polyps
- Cleft palate
- Large adenoids
Certain chronic illnesses, including:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Kartagener's syndrome (a chronic lung disease)
- Wegener's granulomatosis (rare disease that causes blood vessel walls to become inflamed)
- Asthma
- Sarcoidosis
HIV infection
Diabetes
Head injury or a medical condition requiring a tube to be inserted into the nose

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.