(GP)

Overview

• Symptomatic inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity (rhinitis) and paranasal sinuses (sinusitis)
• F>M, peak incidence tends to occur in colder months
• Viral Infection (most common cause) → rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus
• Bacterial Infection → majority are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae
• Acute ≤4 weeks, Subacute 4-12 weeks, Chronic ≥12 weeks
• Risk Factors → preexisting viral URTI can lead to superimposed bacterial infections, atopy (hay fever/asthma), nasal obstruction, smoking

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

Symptoms <10 days ⇒ viral. ****Symptoms >10 days but <4 weeks ⇒ bacterial.

• Facial Pain/Pressure → frontal pressure pain which is worse on bending forwards
• Purulent Nasal Discharge → discoloured nasal mucus
• Nasal Obstruction → congestion, stuffiness, or blockage
• Cough, Myalgia, Sore Throat, Anosmia

Investigations: