Acute Bacterial Sinusitis

Acute Bacterial Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses caused by bacterial infection, typically following a viral upper respiratory infection. Key clinical points include: 1) Symptoms often include nasal congestion, facial pain, purulent nasal discharge, and fever. 2) Diagnosis is usually clinical, supported by imaging if complications are suspected. 3) Common pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. 4) The condition can lead to complications such as orbital cellulitis or abscess if untreated. Typical use cases for this diagnosis code include patients presenting with acute onset of symptoms lasting less than 4 weeks, particularly after a cold. Etiologically, it often follows a viral infection that causes mucosal swelling and obstruction of sinus drainage pathways, leading to bacterial overgrowth. Clinically, patients may present with unilateral or bilateral facial pain, pressure, and nasal obstruction, often accompanied by fever and malaise.