Sinusitis FAQ

Do I Have an Infection?

Question:

Chessfreak wrote: > I had sinus surgery at the end of May this year. In August I developed a > sinus infection, and antibiotics brought it under control rather > quickly. Ever since I had the sinus infection in August, I have noticed > that the nasal mucus is often light yellowish or even greenish rather > than clear. I do not feel sick at all, but I am wondering if I still > have a sinus infection. I will ask my ENT about this when I see him. In > the meantime, however, I would like to know whether yellowish nasal > mucus is always a sign of infection.

I posted this very question some time ago–if there ever is a FAQ for this newsgroup, that question should head the list!  To summarize the responses I received: Yellow color can be a sign of certain proteins in the mucus–dried mucus tends to have a yellowish tinge to it.  So does the mucus associated with non-allergic rhinitis, apparently.  Yellow color can also occur if you have high numbers of eosinophils in the mucus–the cells associated with allergy.  The green color may represent the presence of myeloperoxidase, an enzyme found in neutrophils (white blood cells that fight an ongoing infection). The bottom line is that discolored mucus probably indicates some kind of inflammation somewhere.  Whether the inflammation is allergic, non-allergic, or infectious, and whether it involves the sinuses rather than the nasopharynx, are less clear.  A sinus culture to identify possible infectious bacteria might be one way to find out. — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email:  s…@mitre.org Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein are not those of my employer.

Response:

In article <34457EB6.3…@concentric.net>, lall…@concentric.net says… >I had sinus surgery at the end of May this year. In August I developed a >sinus infection, and antibiotics brought it under control rather >quickly. Ever since I had the sinus infection in August, I have noticed >that the nasal mucus is often light yellowish or even greenish rather >than clear. I do not feel sick at all, but I am wondering if I still >have a sinus infection. I will ask my ENT about this when I see him. In >the meantime, however, I would like to know whether yellowish nasal >mucus is always a sign of infection. If so, I would like to see my ENT >sooner rather than later. Prior to the surgery, whenever I had the >yellowish or greenish nasal discharge, I felt sick and was always >diagnosed with sinusitis. Any ideas would be appreciated. >Lynn >–Chessfreak!   >http://www.concentric.net/~lallain

Yes, you have an infection.  I have always been told that any color discharge is a sign of infection.  I had an ENT once that said that green wasn’t as bad as yellow but other ENT’s say don’t mess with either.   Loki

Response:

I had sinus surgery at the end of May this year. In August I developed a sinus infection, and antibiotics brought it under control rather quickly. Ever since I had the sinus infection in August, I have noticed that the nasal mucus is often light yellowish or even greenish rather than clear. I do not feel sick at all, but I am wondering if I still have a sinus infection. I will ask my ENT about this when I see him. In the meantime, however, I would like to know whether yellowish nasal mucus is always a sign of infection. If so, I would like to see my ENT sooner rather than later. Prior to the surgery, whenever I had the yellowish or greenish nasal discharge, I felt sick and was always diagnosed with sinusitis. Any ideas would be appreciated. Lynn –Chessfreak!   http://www.concentric.net/~lallain

Response:

Lynn, I wouldn’t take any chances.  I have *always been told by my numerous  doctor for sinus trouble that yellow and green indicate infection.  If I were  you, I’d call the doctor’s office right away.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Steven D. Litvintchouk wrote: > Chessfreak wrote: > > I had sinus surgery at the end of May this year. In August I developed a > > sinus infection, and antibiotics brought it under control rather > > quickly. Ever since I had the sinus infection in August, I have noticed > > that the nasal mucus is often light yellowish or even greenish rather > > than clear. I do not feel sick at all, but I am wondering if I still > > have a sinus infection. I will ask my ENT about this when I see him. In > > the meantime, however, I would like to know whether yellowish nasal > > mucus is always a sign of infection. > I posted this very question some time ago–if there ever is a FAQ for this > newsgroup, that question should head the list!  To summarize the responses I > received: > Yellow color can be a sign of certain proteins in the mucus–dried mucus > tends to have a yellowish tinge to it.  So does the mucus associated with > non-allergic rhinitis, apparently.  Yellow color can also occur if you have > high numbers of eosinophils in the mucus–the cells associated with > allergy.  The green color may represent the presence of myeloperoxidase, an > enzyme found in neutrophils (white blood cells that fight an ongoing > infection). > The bottom line is that discolored mucus probably indicates some kind of > inflammation somewhere.  Whether the inflammation is allergic, non-allergic, > or infectious, and whether it involves the sinuses rather than the > nasopharynx, are less clear.  A sinus culture to identify possible > infectious bacteria might be one way to find out. > — > Steven D. Litvintchouk > Email:  s…@mitre.org > Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware, the opinions expressed herein > are not those of my employer.

Steven, Thanks for the reply. It is my understanding that a sinus culture is not very reliable or that it is very difficult to obtain. I really think getting one would be a good idea even if there is only a small chance it would help determine what antibiotic might be helpful. I just don’t want any more antibiotics unless they have a pretty good chance of working, because I do not feel sick right now. Prior to my sinus surgery I always felt pretty sick when I had a sinus infection, and I was willing to try most any antibiotic. Thanks again for your reply. Lynn — Chessfreak!   http://www.concentric.net/~lallain

Response:

Filed under: Sinusitis surgery

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