Overview
Acute sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus linings, usually following a viral upper respiratory infection. Blocked drainage causes pressure, facial pain and thick nasal discharge.
Bacterial infection is suggested by symptoms lasting more than ten days without improvement, worsening after an initial improvement, or severe symptoms with fever and purulent discharge. Chronic sinusitis lasts over 12 weeks and is driven by ongoing inflammation rather than infection.
When to seek urgent medical help
- • Swelling or redness around the eye, double vision or reduced vision - emergency
- • Severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or high fever
- • Symptoms on one side only that persist or recur with bleeding
Symptoms and signs
- Facial pain or pressure over the cheeks, eyes or forehead
- Blocked nose with thick yellow or green discharge
- Reduced or absent sense of smell
- Pain worse on bending forward
- Headache, toothache in the upper jaw or ear pressure
- Cough, often worse at night
Management and treatment
Symptomatic treatment with saline irrigation, analgesia and a steroid nasal spray is first-line and effective for most people. Antibiotics are reserved for prolonged or severe cases fitting recognised criteria.
Your ChatDoc doctor applies these criteria, checks for complications and prescribes the right treatment, with onward ENT advice if sinusitis becomes recurrent or chronic.
Prescription treatment options
Intranasal corticosteroid
Reduces mucosal swelling and restores sinus drainage, used for 2-4 weeks.
Saline nasal irrigation
Clears mucus and improves symptoms with no side effects, used twice daily.
Antibiotics (amoxicillin or doxycycline)
For symptoms over ten days, worsening after improvement, or severe presentation.
Analgesia and decongestant plan
Short-term decongestant use plus regular pain relief to restore comfort and sleep.
Any prescription is issued only after a doctor has reviewed your case and considers the treatment safe and appropriate for you.
Your online Sinusitis assessment
- 1
Tell us about your concern
Share symptoms, past treatments, medicines and relevant health information.
- 2
Upload clear photos
Upload photos of your concern where applicable.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers, but every assessment and prescription decision is made by a doctor, who may message you if they need more information.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
A personalised prescription is issued if treatment is clinically appropriate.
Prognosis and outlook
Viral sinusitis improves within 7-10 days. Bacterial sinusitis responds within 48-72 hours of appropriate antibiotics.
Recurrent or chronic sinusitis needs longer anti-inflammatory treatment and may require ENT assessment for nasal polyps or structural causes.
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This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Always seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. ChatDoc is not an emergency service. Call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) for life-threatening emergencies or 111 for urgent non-emergency help. Do not wait for an online reply.