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Viral infection or sinus infection ?

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February 4th, 2008
About 10 weeks ago I suffered fever and flu-like symptoms, headaches which subsided but were followed by recurrent pressure headaches, aching in my sinus area, aching behind my right eye and generela malaise. After the symptoms failed to clear after a over a month I went to the doctor and was given a week's antibiotics for probable sinus infection. He also did a blood test. The antibiotics have little effect and I later find the blood test shows I had glandular fever. Doctor says do nothing and it will go away. Whilst I cannot dispute the blood test, the problems I am now suffering from seem to me more symptomatic of a chronic sinus infection or something else not GF. My question is can a virus trigger sinus problems or is it possible I had/have two different problems at the same time. Doctor wasn't convinced that my headaches and aching in sinus area were a separate problem and so now recommends waiting at least 6 weeks to see if symptoms persist before going back. Help?


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replied February 7th, 2008
Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Answer A3607
It is possible that 2 different infections are present in the body at the same time. This is especially likely in cases when a viral infection (glandular fever in your case) decreases immunity and makes the body susceptible to develop other, usually bacterial infections. For example, people diagnosed with glandular fever are susceptible to developing bacterial throat infections.

Glandular fever can be identified using a specific blood test (which was positive in your case). A sinus infection (sinusitis) can be confirmed or excluded via nasal examination (rhinoscopy) by an ENT-specialist. You may also request an X-ray image and microbiological examination of the sinuses for further diagnostic information. In your case, none of these examinations have been performed and you're assuming that a headache in the sinus area indicates sinusitis. Headaches, however, are very non-specific symptoms because a headache can be present during many diseases and conditions.

For a precise medical and scientific diagnosis, you can consult an ENT-specialist about these symptoms.



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