Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWarning SymptomsAssociated ConditionsTreatmentRecovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Warning Symptoms
Associated Conditions
Treatment
Recovery
Asinus infectioncan spread to the brain through the bloodstream or bone. It is a rare occurrence but incredibly serious. When a sinus infection spreads to the brain, it can cause several conditions likeencephalitis,meningitis, or a brain abscess.
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How Does a Sinus Infection Spread to the Brain?
The sinuses, also called sinus cavities, are hollow spaces in the skull surrounding the nose. Sinuses produce mucus that drains into the nose.
The sinus cavities are close to the brain. When someone has a sinus infection, especially in the frontal and sphenoid sinuses, the bacterium or virus can move through the bones or blood vessels and into the brain. This can cause a life-threatening infection.
Warning Symptoms of Sinus Infection in Brain
A sinus infection that has spread to the brain will produce severe symptoms. These symptoms will differ based on the type of infection and where it is located. These symptoms can include:
A brain infection is very serious. While you may not be able to feel the infection move to the brain, the symptoms will become so severe that emergency care should be sought immediately.
When to Seek Emergency AssistanceWhen sinus infections do not get better or if they worsen, it’s time to call a healthcare provider. At the extreme, certain situations would warrant a call to 911 or a visit to the emergency room. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s time to seek emergency assistance:Sudden high feverStiff neckVision changesMuscle weakness or sensation changesSeizureDifficulty hearing or speakingHeadache
When to Seek Emergency Assistance
When sinus infections do not get better or if they worsen, it’s time to call a healthcare provider. At the extreme, certain situations would warrant a call to 911 or a visit to the emergency room. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s time to seek emergency assistance:Sudden high feverStiff neckVision changesMuscle weakness or sensation changesSeizureDifficulty hearing or speakingHeadache
When sinus infections do not get better or if they worsen, it’s time to call a healthcare provider. At the extreme, certain situations would warrant a call to 911 or a visit to the emergency room. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s time to seek emergency assistance:
Conditions Associated With Sinus Infection in Brain
Several conditions are associated with a sinus infection that has spread into the brain. They are:
Meningitisis the inflammation of the meninges, the tissue that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. It occurs suddenly, and the symptoms escalate rapidly. Meningitis is a rare but very serious condition.
Encephalitisis inflammation of the brain. It can range from mild to severe, with most cases being mild.
What Is Encephalitis?Encephalitisis when the brain becomes inflamed. Symptoms can range from mild and flu-like to much more severe. Severe symptoms may include:Vision changesDifficulty with speech or hearingPersonality changesLoss of sensationLoss of consciousnessMemory lossWeaknessSeizures
What Is Encephalitis?
Encephalitisis when the brain becomes inflamed. Symptoms can range from mild and flu-like to much more severe. Severe symptoms may include:Vision changesDifficulty with speech or hearingPersonality changesLoss of sensationLoss of consciousnessMemory lossWeaknessSeizures
Encephalitisis when the brain becomes inflamed. Symptoms can range from mild and flu-like to much more severe. Severe symptoms may include:
At the Hospital: Treating a Sinus Infection in the Brain
Encephalitis and meningitis are treated aggressively to prevent brain damage from swelling. There are several types of treatments used. They include:
In severe cases, a ventilator may be used to support breathing in a person who is in respiratory distress.
A brain abscess is treated with medicine and possibly surgery. If the abscess is small, deep within the brain, or there are several abscesses, then medicine may be the only treatment.Surgery is also needed when the pressure in the brain gets too high, medicine does not work, the abscess is large, or the abscess breaks open.
During surgery for a brain abscess, the neurosurgeon will open the skull, expose the area of the brain near the abscess, and then drain the fluid from the abscess. If the abscess is deep within the brain then a needle aspiration may be used.
Recovering From a Sinus Infection That Spreads to the Brain
Once the infection is under control and the person has stabilized, healthcare providers will focus on their recovery. The recovery from a sinus infection that spreads to the brain will include treatment from a multidisciplinary team of therapists and providers. This includes:
Each provider and therapist will focus on a certain aspect of the body or body system. They will work to help the person regain their abilities lost from the infection.
Summary
A sinus infection is generally a minor inconvenience that resolves on its own or with antibiotics. However, it can cause serious complications if, in rare circumstances, it spreads to the brain. When this happens the infection can cause meningitis, a brain abscess, or encephalitis. Prompt medical treatment is necessary for these life-threatening complications.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.Mount Sinai.Sinusitis.MedlinePlus.Meningitis.MedlinePlus.Brain abscess.National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.Mount Sinai.Sinusitis.MedlinePlus.Meningitis.MedlinePlus.Brain abscess.National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.Mount Sinai.Sinusitis.MedlinePlus.Meningitis.MedlinePlus.Brain abscess.National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.
MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.
Mount Sinai.Sinusitis.
MedlinePlus.Meningitis.
MedlinePlus.Brain abscess.
National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke.Meningitis.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Encephalitis.
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