Table 3.
Infective agent type | Examples of infective agent | Caused disease pattern |
---|---|---|
Viruses | Common cold viruses, e.g. rhinovirus, coronaviruses, RSV, etc. | Sinus changes on CT scan remain for up to 6 weeks after the infection [214] 0.5–2% become superinfected by bacteria [215] ‘Colds’ may exacerbate asthma and COPD [216, 217] Children average 6–8 ‘colds’ per year [218] |
Bacteria | Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Moraxella, Staphylococcus, Mycobacteria | Acute infection causes nasal obstruction, facial pain, crusting, purulent discharge Can progress to rhinosinusitis |
Fungi and other opportunistic infections | Aspergillus | Rarely cause symptoms; mainly affect immuno‐suppressed individuals [219] |
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CT, computed tomography; RSV, respiratory syncytial virus.