The majority of sinus infections are annoying and effectively treated with antibiotics or natural therapies. Other sinus infections can have serious consequences that can turn into life threatening conditions, according to the American Rhinologic Society. Understanding the consequences of a sinus infection and knowing when to seek treatment preserves sensory function as well as life.
Vision Compromise
Because of the close proximity of the sinus cavities to the eyes, any infection of the sinuses can affect vision. From eyelid pain with redness and swelling to abscesses capable of causing blindness, sinus infections that affect vision need immediate treatment by a physician, reports the American Rhinologic Society. Sinus infections may also cause paralysis of eye movements or bulging eyes, which should also be reported to a health care provider as soon as possible.
Brain Complications
A thin layer of bone divides the sinuses from the brain. If a sinus infection spreads to the brain, inflammation of the white matter and infection of the cerebrospinal fluid, a "meningitis" of sorts, may occur, according to the website MayoClinic.com. Abscesses and pus can form and threaten the life of the individual.
Loss of Senses
Smell and taste are often affected in ordinary sinus infections, but may develop into permanent losses through the damage to the olfactory nerves that more serious sinus infections can cause. Patients with nasal polyps are more susceptible to developing a loss of these senses when afflicted with a sinus infection.
Circulatory Compromise
An aneurysm can result from the sphenoid sinus becoming infected. Because the carotid artery sits so close to the sphenoid sinus, inflammation from the infection can put pressure on the artery and cause it to bulge, thereby creating the aneurysm, reports the American Rhinologic Society. Any infection of this sinus can also infect blood clots, if present. Both of these complications carry a life threatening risk.
Asthma
When a person afflicted with both asthma and chronic sinus problems develops a sinus infection, the infection can trigger asthma attacks. When the sinus infection responds to treatment, asthmatics events decrease.
Surgery
Severe sinus infections that progress to fungal sinus infections usually require surgery, states the National Institutes of Health. Prolonged sinus infections of three months or more may also precipitate surgery.
