Sinus aspergillosis is a fungal infection that affects the sinuses. People with weakened immune systems and respiratory conditions are more likely to develop this condition.

Aspergillus is a mold that you may come into contact with both indoors and outside. Sources can include soil, seeds, grains, or decaying vegetation. Although many types of Aspergillus are harmless, they can also cause allergic reactions and potentially life threatening issues.

In particular, aspergillosis can affect your sinuses. This infection may cause pain across the forehead, behind the nose, between the eyes, and under the cheekbones.

People with weakened immune systems and respiratory conditions are more likely to experience difficulties with sinus aspergillosis. Surgery and medications may be necessary to prevent serious complications.

Sinus aspergillosis is an infection of the sinuses caused by a mold called Aspergillus.

Aspergillus is a common mold that individuals around the world breathe in every day. Most of the time, people without other health issues do not have any issues when coming in contact with Aspergillus. However, individuals with health conditions like asthma and cystic fibrosis or a weakened immune system may develop infections when breathing in Aspergillus.

This infection affecting the sinuses can be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive sinus aspergillosis is considered more serious because the infection could travel to other parts of the body like the eyes or brain. In noninvasive sinus aspergillosis, the fungus enters the mucosa and underlying tissue.

If after requesting and reviewing a health history and performing a physical exam, your doctor suspects you have sinus aspergillosis, they can confirm the diagnosis with tissue and blood tests.

As part of the diagnostic process, doctors may order a CT scan or MRI to determine the extent of any fungal masses. This information will help them determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Your doctor may also choose to perform an endoscopy to remove tissues and gain further information about the sinus infection, including its severity. For this procedure, a camera will be inserted through the nose.

Symptoms of sinus aspergillosis can include:

  • a stuffy or bleeding nose, or both
  • fever
  • facial pain
  • headache
  • decreased sense of smell

Serious fungal sinus infections can cause an individual to experience:

  • severe facial swelling
  • vision loss
  • changes in skin color
  • neurological problems

A type of mold called Aspergillus, which can be found both indoors and outdoors all around the world, causes sinus aspergillosis

Most people can breathe in Aspergillus every day without any problems. An invasive infection is more likely to occur in individuals with a weakened immune system. Their weakened immunity may be due various factors like, HIV or AIDS, cancer medications, a transplant, and even diabetes.

If you need to be around someone with sinus aspergillosis, it may be comforting to know that sinus aspergillosis is not contagious.

While not all sinus aspergillosis is due to an allergic reaction, there is a type of sinus aspergillosis called allergic aspergillosis sinusitis that is.

People with asthma and who have a fever may be more likely to develop this condition.

This type of aspergillosis is considered a noninvasive form and does not spread to other areas of the body. But it’s still important to treat the condition so thick mucus and polyps do not create additional problems.

Like other forms of sinus aspergillosis, medications and surgery may be used to treat sinus aspergillosis when it is the result of allergies.

In some cases when an individual has a properly functioning immune system, their doctor may advise waiting and observing the aspergillosis to see if it gets worse before treating it. However, if invasive sinus aspergillosis is the diagnosis, prompt treatment is required.

When treatment is necessary, possible cures for sinus aspergillosis include surgery and antifungal medications.

Doctors may choose to perform sinus surgery to remove any fungal masses or polyps. Individuals who undergo sinus surgery may be prescribed medications following the procedure to continue treating the fungus or reduce the risk of fungus returning.

Voriconazole is an antifungal medication commonly prescribed to treat sinus aspergillosis. Another frequently prescribed medication for those with sinus aspergillosis is Amphotericin B. Your doctor can work with you to determine the medication(s) that best match your needs.

If you do take antifungal medications for invasive infections, it’s important to keep in mind that they can have serious side effects and interact negatively with other medications. You’ll want to discuss this with your doctor before you begin using any.

One other thing to note is that if your sinus infection spreads and impacts your eyes or eyesight, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist for treatment as well.

Sinus aspergillosis is an infection that can give individuals a stuffy nose, facial pain, and a fever or headaches. The mold that causes sinus aspergillosis is most likely to cause problems for those with weakened immune systems or respiratory problems.

This type of infection affecting the sinuses can be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive sinus aspergillosis is considered more serious, because it means the infection could travel to the other parts of the body like the eyes or brain.

If you are showing symptoms of sinus aspergillosis, it’s important to talk with a doctor. Prompt treatment is important to help ensure that it does not spread and cause more serious complications.