Sinusitis : Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. It occurs as the result of an infection from a virus, bacteria, or fungus. CAUSES The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull. They are located behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes. Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs. Most of the time, mucus is able to drain out and air is able to flow through the sinuses. When the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily. Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions: • Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses fail to properly to move mucus out. This may be due to some medical conditions. • Colds and allergies may cause too much mucus to be made or block the opening of the sinuses. • A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur, or nasal polyps may block the opening of the sinuses. There are two types of sinusitis: • Acute sinutitis is when symptoms are present for 4 weeks or less. It is caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses. • Chronic sinusitis is when swelling and inflammation of the sinuses are present for longer than 3 months. It may be caused by bacteria or a fungus. The following may increase the risk that an adult or child will develop sinusitis: • Allergic rhinitis or hay fever • Cystic fibrosis • Going to day care • Diseases that prevent the cilia from working properly • Changes in altitude (flying or scuba diving) • Large adenoids • Smoking • Weakened immune system from HIV or chemotherapy Symptoms The symptoms of acute sinusitis in adults usually follow a cold that does not get better or gets worse after 5 - 7 days. Symptoms include: • Bad breath or loss of smell • Cough, often worse at night • Fatigue and general feeling of being ill • Fever • Headache -- pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, toothache, or tenderness of the face • Nasal stuffiness and discharge • Sore throat and postnasal drip Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis, but tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks. Symptoms of sinusitis in children include: • Cold or respiratory illness that has been getting better and then begins to get worse • High fever, along with a darkened nasal discharge, that lasts for at least 3 days • Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving MEDICATIONS AND OTHER TREATMENTS Most of the time, antibiotics are not needed for acute sinusitis. Most of these infections go away on their own. Even when antibiotics do help, they may only slightly reduce the time it takes for the infection to go away. Antibiotics may be prescribed sooner for: • Children with nasal discharge, possibly with a cough, that is not getting better after 2 - 3 weeks • Fever higher than 102.2° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius) • Headache or pain in the face • Severe swelling around the eyes Acute sinusitis should be treated for 10 - 14 days. Chronic sinusitis should be treated for 3 - 4 weeks. Some people with chronic sinusitis may need special medicines to treat fungal infections. At some point, your doctor will consider: • Other prescription medications • More testing • Referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) or allergy specialist Other treatments for sinusitis include: • Allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help prevent the disease from returning • Avoiding allergy triggers • Nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines to decrease swelling, especially if there are nasal polyps or allergies


Conjunctivitis ( pinkeye ) : Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. Pinkeye has a number of different causes, including: • Viruses • Bacteria (such as gonorrhea or chlamydia) • Irritants such as shampoos, dirt, smoke, and pool chlorine • Allergies, like dust, pollen, or a special type of allergy that affects some contact lens wearers Pinkeye caused by some bacteria and viruses can spread easily from person to person, but is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly. Pinkeye in newborn babies, however, should be reported to a doctor immediately, as it could be a vision-threatening infection. Symptoms • Blurred vision • Crusts that form on the eyelid overnight • Eye pain • Gritty feeling in the eyes • Increased tearing • Itching of the eye • Redness in the eyes • Sensitivity to light Treatment • Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on the cause. • Allergic conjunctivitis may respond to allergy treatment. It may disappear on its own when you avoid your allergy triggers. Cool compresses may help soothe allergic conjunctivitis. • Antibiotic medication, usually eye drops, is effective for bacterial conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis will disappear on its own. Many doctors give a mild antibiotic eyedrops for pink eye to prevent bacterial conjunctivitis.


Cystitis : Acute cystitis is a bacterial infection of the bladder or lower urinary tract. Cystitis is caused by germs, usually bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder. These bacteria can lead to infection, most commonly in the bladder. The infection can spread to the kidneys. Most of the time, your body can get rid of these bacteria when you urinate. However, sometimes the bacteria can stick to the wall of the urethra or bladder, or grow so fast that some bacteria stay in the bladder. Women tend to get infections more often than men because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus. For this reason, women are more likely to get an infection after sexual intercourse or when using a diaphragm for birth control. Menopause also increases the risk for a urinary tract infection. The following also increase your chances of developing cystitis: • A tube called a urinary catheter inserted in your bladder • Blockage of the bladder or urethra • Diabetes • Enlarged prostate, narrowed urethra, or anything that blocks the flow of urine • Loss of bowel control (bowel incontinence) • Older age (especially in people who live in nursing homes) • Pregnancy • Problems fully emptying your bladder (urinary retention) • Procedures that involve the urinary tract • Staying still (immobile) for a long period of time (for example, when you are recovering from a hip fracture Symptoms The symptoms of a bladder infection include: • Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor • Low fever (not everyone will have a fever) • Pain or burning with urination • Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen (usually middle) or back • Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied Often in an elderly person, mental changes or confusion are the only signs of a possible urinary tract infection. Medication • Sometimes a short 3-day course of antibiotics is given. Most patients will experience the beneficial effects of an antibiotic within the first day of treatment. The following antibiotics are commonly used for cystitis: Nitrofurantoin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, Amoxicillin, Cephalosporins, Ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin, and Doxycycline.