Table 1.
Characteristics of URI progression
| Type of disease | URIa) | ARSb) | CRSc) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 7–11 day (up to 14) | >10 day | >12 wk |
| Symptom | Stuffy and runny nose, mild cough, watery eyes, sneezing, low-grade fever, yellow/ green nasal discharge, headache, mild fatigue | Thick yellow/green mucus in the nose, facial pain and tenderness especially in the eyes, cheeks, or nose, PND, nose congestion | Increased facial pain, PND, reduced sense of smell or taste, nose congestion, nasal inflammation |
| Endoscopy | Yellow/green mucus | Thick mucus | Swelling and polyps |
| Radiology | Mucosal thickening <4 mm or absence of mucosal thickening | Mucosal thickening >4 mm, obstruction of osteomeatal complexes | Polyps and sinus obstruction, mucosal thickening |
| Severity | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
| Treatment | Supportive (e.g., saline nasal sprays) | Pain relievers, nasal steroids, decongestants, antibiotics | Oral steroids, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, biologic therapies |
URI, upper respiratory infection; ARS, acute rhinosinusitis; CRS, chronic sinusitis; PND, postnasal drainage.
a)
The mildest form of sinus infection, lasts for 7–11 days, while ARS and CRS are more severe.
b)
ARS is considered moderate, and its diagnosis requires the persistence of symptoms beyond 10 days, with a failure of improvement for at least 10 days.