Sinus Infection Spreads to Brain Symptoms

Sinus infection a.k.a ‘sinusitis is quite common, affecting about 20 percent of people at some point in life. The good news, it is often treated successfully. Even it’s also not uncommon to find it improves on its own without treatment. It rarely causes complications. However, in a few cases it could also be serious. For example, the symptoms can be quite painful if it has spread to the brain.

The sinuses are air-filled cavities behind the nose, cheekbones, forehead, and between the eyes. They serve several important functions. The main ones are to help filter and humidify the air you breathe. They are covered membranes containing cilia (hair-like cells) and mucus to filter & sweep out bad things in the air you inhale.

Normally, sinus secretions are moving and draining out into the nasal cavity. But in sinus infection, this normal mechanism is affected. The infection often causes inflammation and blockage.

As a result, the mucus increases in thickness because it doesn’t drain properly. The cilia may also slow their function to sweep and clean the mucus. These can worsen the blockage and make it even more difficult for the mucus to drain out.

Sinus infection can be attributed by a number of causes. The main ones are due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. And it seems that some people are more vulnerable to develop the condition, especially for those with allergy, structural differences in the nasal cavities, and weakened immune system.

Is it contagious?

Most people with sinus infection don’t transmit the infection to others. In general, it is not contagious disease.

Although it is caused by viral or bacterial infection, some experts say that it occurs because some people are more vulnerable to have the condition. The infection can also be triggered by viruses, bacteria, or fungi that already exist in a person – and therefore, person-to-person transfer is not necessarily needed for the infection to develop.

While most experts say that it’s not contagious, it’s also quite possible for the infection to spread from person to person in a few cases. This is dependent on the cause of the problem. For example – many respiratory viruses, which some can also cause sinus infection, are easy to spread through hand-to-hand contact.

In other words, it’s still important for people with the condition to avoid direct contact with individuals who are prone to the infection such as the elderly, infants, or people with weakened immune system.

Can sinus infection spread to brain?

Again, in most cases it is uncomplicated. But if its complications occur, some could be serious or even life-threatening. In rare cases, the infection may spread elsewhere in the skull such as to particular areas of the brain.

If it does spread to the brain, this may lead to meningitis, cerebritis, or brain absences.

Meningitis

As the name suggests, this rare condition occurs when infection affects meninges (delicate membranes covering the spinal cord and brain). It can be caused by virus or bacteria.

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Typically, the infection is derived from elsewhere in the body – especially viral /bacterial infection that first starts in the sinuses, ears, and upper respiratory tract. In less common cases, other causes include autoimmune disorders, certain medications, and fungal infection.

Studies have shown that meningitis is relatively more common in the elderly (over age 55), young adults (especially those at the age between 15 and 25), and children (age 5 or younger). And it’s also thought that the effect of meningitis is more serious in people with autoimmune disease, chronic disease, or damaged spleen.

Cerebritis

It is inflammation of the brain. It can be triggered by inflammation or infection elsewhere in the body such as in the sinuses.

Brain absences

The sinus infection that spread to the brain may cause an abscess. This can be a consequence of when the infection causes swelling and inflammation in the brain.

The infected brain cells, dead bacteria, or white blood cells are accumulated in an area of the brain. Then this area is surrounded by tissues that create a mass (abscess).

How to tell if sinus infection has spread to brain?

Although sinus infection  is usually mild, seek medical help promptly if it doesn’t improve after a few days of home remedies and lifestyle measures – and you have:

1. Pain in the lower eyelid and upper teeth.
2. Chronic, mild pain in the face that persists or last longer than 4 weeks.
3. Headache that doesn’t relieve with over-the-counter painkillers.
4. Cold symptoms (such as runny nose, cough, fatigue, and sneezing) are common in sinusitis. But if they last longer than usual, it’s better to see a doctor.
5. Thick nasal discharge becomes green or yellow.

You might also like to read warning signs of dangerous sinus infection.

If there are any symptoms that suggest a potential, serious complication of sinus infection – immediate medical attention is necessary! The symptoms of when it has spread to the brain may include:

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1. Severe headaches.
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. High fever.
4. Altered mental state.
5. Stiffness in the neck.
6. Or difficulty to walk.

These symptoms may also be attributed by something else. In other words, having some of these symptoms doesn’t mean that you definitely have sinus infection that spreads to the brain.

If you do have meningitis, you may also have some of the following symptoms:

1. A blotchy rash, typically it will not fade even though when a glass is rolled over it! It is classic meningitis symptom.
2. Drowsiness and increased sensitivity to the light.
3. Irritability, which may be followed with tiredness (lack of energy).
4. Muscle and joint aches.
5. Increase in breathing rate.
6. Cold feet and hands.
7. Mottled, pale skin.
8. Or even it’s quite possible for meningitis to also cause seizures. See more about meningitis in here!

The symptoms of meningitis in babies include; stiff body, high-pitched cry, unresponsive /floppy, appetite loss (they may refuse to eat feed), fontanelle (a bulging soft spot on the head), or restless (they may refuse to be picked up).

Treatments

There are several sinuses, which are named according to where they are located in the skull (see the picture below, credit to the Ohiosinus Institute). And it seems that the infection of sphenoid or ethmoid sinuses has greater chance to spread to the brain.

High-dose IV antibiotics are one of the common treatment options of when sinus infection has spread to the brain, especially true if the bacterial infection is the main underlying cause. If the infection is caused by virus, antiviral medication may be required.

Furthermore, the treatment is dependent on the kind of complication affecting the brain. For more guidance, talk with a doctor!