Can one be TESTED for a sinus infection?

Question

I have bloody yellowish mucous coming from only my left nostril and pressure under my left cheek bone. I have over the counter sinus pain relief medication, but am worried it might be an infection that needs antibiotics. Can doctors test for sinus infections? How is it done?

Answer 1

Well, yes. But its not really necessary. Sinus infections are usually diagnosed by signs and symptoms. Most sinus infections are bacteria infections. So a simple blood test looking for white blood cells can tell the doc if there is an infections or not. The medical team could take some of the mucus and culture it to find bacteria too.



Rule of thumb, yellow mucus is a sign of a fresh infection. A small amount of blood is normal with a sinus infection. If your mucus is yellow and you feel bad for 7 days or more, it's time to see a doctor.

Answer 2

I never get a fever with a sinus infection.

I just get massive pain in the face and head. My husband uses this to keep from getting bronchitis, and I use to to cure sinus infections. THere are many kinds of bacteria that live in the sinuses, and this gets rid of all the bad ones!.This is the only thing that really helped me --- my Dr. told me about a sinus wash that will kill bacteria.

you need



distilled water

sea salt

liquid chlorophyll and colloidal silver from the health food store.

in a glass mix 1/4 cup water with a pinch of salt and heat to body temperature.

add 5 drops each silver and chlorophyll and mix.

using a large dropper (like one used for infant medication) drop 2 full droppersfull into one side of the nose while laying down.

Turn the head and let it drain out the other nostril. Be sure to have paper towels handy.

The silver kills the bacteria and there are several hundred kind that can live in the sinus cavities and anti biotics don't get rid of them all.

Do this twice a day for a week, mixing up the mixture fresh each time.

Then do it once a week for maintenance.

There is nothing in this that will hurt you, and it cured me.

I do not have to take claritin, or antibiotics anymore.

best wishes

Answer 3

Doctors normally go on symptoms- fever, color of snot, pressing over sinus to see if they are tender. If it is REALLY bad, they may do an x-ray. This is tricky, b/c you can have an infection, but it not definitely show up on x-ray.



There are different types of sinus infections- bacterial and viral.

Bacterial you take antibiotics, and viral infections you treat the symptoms. Antibiotics do not work on viral infection b/c they only work on bacteria- not viruses. That is why a doctor's exam is necessary.



Drink lots of water, take your vitamins, and go see doctor if you continue to have problems. There are also over the counter sinus rinses that work great to wash out the infection. It is called Neill Med Sinus Rinse.

Answer 4

tested sinus infection

Answer 5

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sinus_infection/page5_em.htm