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Online Doctor For Sinus Infection

What Causes Sinus Infections

Diagnosing Sinus Infections

Sinusitis is typically triggered by a virus, bacteria, fungus clogging the sinuses and sudden pressure changes. Sinus infections arent contagious. However, viruses like the cold or flu are contagious and often cause sinus infections.

Other common causes of sinusitis include:

  • blocked airways, often from asthma or allergies
  • seasonal or mold allergies
  • dry air, often caused by winter weather
  • a deviated septum.

Prevent getting or spreading viral infections such as the cold that cause sinusitis by washing your hands after touching high contact surfaces and covering your mouth if you cough or sneeze.

Treatment For Sinusitis From A Gp

If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:

  • steroid nasal sprays or drops â to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
  • antihistamines â if an allergy is causing your symptoms
  • antibiotics â if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and youre very unwell or at risk of complications

You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.

A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if, for example, you:

  • still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
  • keep getting sinusitis
  • only have symptoms on 1 side of your face

They may also recommend surgery in some cases.

What Is A Sinus Infection

Sinusitis or sinus disease, better known as a sinus infection, is a common problem treated at FastMed. It is commonly defined as inflammation, or the swelling of the sinuses. When the sinus openings become blocked, or too much mucus accumulates, sinusitis is the result.

There are three types of sinus disease: acute , sub-acute , and chronic sinusitis . Some of the symptoms associated with sinus infection are fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, and pressure that causes facial or dental pain.If your sinus disease persists for more than a few days, visit one of the many FastMed locations in your area, and a qualified medical provider will examine you. The FastMed team should be able to determine whether the problem is indeed sinusitis. Tests may include looking in the nose for signs of mucus, or checking for signs of inflammation and pressure. Antibiotics are rarely prescribed when sinus infections occur, because they are ineffective in treating the viruses that cause most sinus infections.

Also Check: Can Sinus Infection Cause Chills

How Can I Prevent Sinusitis

Some of the home remedies used to treat sinus infections symptoms may help prevent sinusitis. These include rinsing your nose out with salt water and using medications that your provider might suggest, such as allergy medications or steroid nasal sprays.

You should avoid things you are allergic to, like dust, pollen or smoke, and try to avoid sick people. Wash your hands to reduce your chance of getting a cold or flu.

Signs You Have A Sinus Infection

Nosebleed can indicate a more serious condition in certain cases https ...
WHO: Dr. Ford Brewer, chief medical officer at MDLIVE, the nations largest telehealth network of doctors, pediatricians and therapists.
WHAT: According to Dr. Brewer, an individual with a cold that is just not getting better or is worse after 5-7 days may have acute sinusitis . This occurs when there is bacterial growth in the sinuses as a result of an infection from a virus, bacteria, or fungus. Dr. Brewer recommends keeping a watchful eye out for the 8 most common sinusitis symptoms:

  • Bad breath or loss of smell
  • Cough, often worse at night
  • Fatigue and general feeling of being unwell
  • Pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, toothache, or facial tenderness
  • Nasal stuffiness and discharge
  • Sore throat and postnasal drip
  • WHERE: Individuals that think they may have a sinus infection, should contact their doctor. For those that cant wait days for an appointment or dont want to struggle in to their doctors office, MDLIVE provides a consult with a board certified doctor via secure online video, MDLIVE App or interactive audio. Typical wait time is less than 15 minutes.
    WHEN: Consults are available 24/7/365 and currently MDLIVE is offering $10 off initial consults. Consumers should enter the promocode PAINFREE in the promo code section on the payment screen to get $10 off their first MDLIVE phone or video consult before 3/18/16*. Details on promo code can be found at: bit.ly/painfree9.

    About MDLIVE

    Media Contact:Michael E. Donner, Chief Marketing OfficerMDLIVE

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    Signs And Symptoms Of Sinusitis:

    A case of acute sinusitis presents with the following signs and symptoms:

    • Facial pain and tenderness on pressure
    • Nasal congestion
    • Nasal obstruction or runny nose
    • Yellowish post-nasal discharge into the throat
    • Loss of sense of smell
    • Pain in frontal region of head or between the eyes
    • Aching in upper jaw or teeth
    • Occasionally facial swelling may also be present
    • Constitutional signs and symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, bodyache and generalized weakness may be present.
    • Pain. Pressure or fullness in the ears.

    It was February, and clinic was teeming with respiratory infections of all kinds: mostly the common cold, but also bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus infections. The patients were coming in usually thinking that they needed antibiotics for their sinus infection, or another respiratory infection.The first patient on my schedule was a healthcare provider with sinus infection written down as her main issue.* Shed had about two weeks of nasal and sinus congestion which she blamed on a viral upper respiratory infection . Her two young kids had been sick with colds all winter, so she wasnt surprised to have these symptoms, along with endless postnasal drip and a cough.

    Head Straight To The Pharmacy For Sinus Treatment

    With SmartDocMD, the only trip you will have to take is to the pharmacy if needed. We utilize U.S. board-certified doctors to determine your ailment and the best course of treatment. The air filled passages in your nose can become irritated for a variety of reasons. Sinus infections can range from irritating to incredibly painful. This is why we address a variety of sinusitis symptoms, ranging from nasal polyps caused by virus bacteria to full inflammation of the sinuses.

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    Things Ent Doctors Do When They Have A Sinus Infection

    11/8/21 in Blog Posts

    If you have pesky symptoms like congestion, facial pressure and post-nasal drip, they could be signs a sinus infection is setting up shop in your nasal cavity.

    Sinus infections, better known as sinusitis, affect roughly 31 million people in the U.S. each year, and they spend more than $1 billion on over-the-counter meds to treat them, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.

    Fortunately, most cases of acute sinusitis get better on their own, Moshe Ephrat, MD, board-certified ENT surgeon with ENT and Allergy Associates in New York, tells LIVESTRONG.com.

    Because a little self-care is usually all that’s needed to ease sinus symptoms, we asked several ENTs what they do when a sinus infection strikes and how you can move along your own healing process.

    When It Comes And When It Goes

    Sinusitis Surgery

    If you have allergies, youll start feeling symptoms soon after you come into contact with the stuff youre allergic to. Your symptoms keep up as long as youre still surrounded by those triggers.

    Allergies can happen any time of year. They may be seasonal, which means you get them only in the spring or fall. Or they may be year-round. For instance, you might be allergic to pets or mold, which can be a problem no matter the season.

    Sinusitis usually happens after youve had a cold or allergies. But certain symptoms will keep going, even after your cold goes away. Youll probably have a stuffy nose and cough for more than a week or two.

    You may hear your doctor talk about two kinds of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Theres a simple way to tell them apart. If your symptoms last less than 4 weeks, its acute. If they go on for 3 months or longer, you have chronic sinusitis.

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    Online Doctor For Sinus Infection

    SmartDocMD provides convenient online healthcare on your terms. Originating as an idea between a doctor and patient, the philosophy behind SmartDocMD is to provide quality health care for basic problems without a visit to a doctors office. If you are suffering from symptoms from common illnesses, contact SmartDocMD for flexible and affordable healthcare.

    Telemedicine For Sinus Infection

    Sinus Infection is an inflammation of the sinuses that can cause blockage or fluid build-up. A sinus infection can usually happen after a cold. This can cause inflamation of the nasal passages and can block the opening of the sinuses and lead to infection. Symptoms include cold or runny nose, headaches, facial pain, cough, fever and sore throat. Treatment is made depending on how severe the case is. Simple sinusitis can be treated with nasal decongestants, over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, nasal saline irrigation and taking lots of fluids. If symptoms does not improve after 10 days, antibiotics and intranasal steroid spray may be needed.

    Speak to our health care provider and get treated for sinus infection today.

    Read Also: Home Remedies For Bronchitis And Sinus Infection

    What Tests Diagnose The Cause Of Sinus Infections And Sinusitis

    Sinus infection is most often diagnosed based on the history and examination of a doctor. Because plain X-ray studies of the sinuses may be misleading and procedures such as CT and MRI scans, which are much more sensitive in their ability to diagnose a sinus infection, are so expensive and not available in most doctors offices, most sinus infections are initially diagnosed and treated based on clinical findings on examination. These physical findings may include:

    • redness and swelling of the nasal passages,
    • purulent drainage from the nasal passages ,
    • tenderness to percussion over the cheeks or forehead region of the sinuses, and
    • swelling about the eyes and cheeks.

    Occasionally, nasal secretions are examined for secreted cells that may help differentiate between infectious and allergic sinusitis. Infectious sinusitis may show specialized cells of infection while allergic sinusitis may show specialized white blood cells of allergy . Physicians prescribe antibiotics if the bacterial infection is suspected. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections many physicians then treat the symptoms.

    In addition, both rigid and flexible endoscopy has been used to obtain diagnostic material from sinuses. These procedures are usually done by an otolaryngologist under topical and local anesthesia. Occasionally, there may be a need to sedate the patient. Some investigators suggest that endoscopy specimens are comparable to those obtained by needle puncture.

    What Decongestants And Nasal Sprays Soothe Or Cure Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis

    Keep your sinuses moist

    Taking decongestants and mucolytics orally may be helpful in assisting drainage of sinus infection.

    The treatment of chronic forms of sinus infection requires longer courses of medications, such as Augmentin, and may require a sinus drainage procedure. This drainage typically requires a surgical operation to open the blocked sinus under general anesthesia. In general, antihistamines should be avoided unless it is felt that the sinusitis sinus infection is due to allergies, such as from pollens, dander, or other environmental causes.

    It is likely that the use of a topical nasal steroid spray will help reduce swelling in the allergic individual without the drying that is caused by using antihistamines although both are occasionally used. Oral steroids may be prescribed to reduce acute inflammation and to help with chronic inflammation in cases with or without polyps and in allergic fungal sinusitis.

    In many people, allergic sinusitis develops first, and later, bacterial infection occurs. For these individuals, early treatment of allergic sinusitis may prevent the development of secondary bacterial sinusitis.

    In rare instances or in natural disasters, fungal infections may develop in debilitated people. Death rates of 50%-85% have been reported for patients with these sinus infections. Treatment relies on early diagnosis followed by immediate surgical debridement, antifungal drugs, , and stabilizing any underlying health problem such as diabetes.

    Also Check: Can A Sinus Infection Kill You

    Urgent Care Clinic In Rochester And Le Roy Ny

    At Cornerstone Urgent Care Center, our friendly and professional healthcare providers will get to the root cause of your sinus infection through a review of your medical history, a physical exam, as well as diagnostic testing. Our goal is to give you immediate relief from symptoms and coordinate your care with your primary care physician.

    You dont have to go to the emergency room to treat your sinus infection. We treat sinus infections and a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions that seem to occur during non-business hours or on weekends.

    Visit Cornerstone Urgent Care Center at 2968 Chili Avenue without making an appointment. We are open Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. You may check in online to let us know you are coming. We look forward to providing you with prompt medical care!

    Sinus Infection Definition And Facts

    • Sinusitis or sinus infection is inflammation of the air cavities within the passages of the nose.
    • Sinusitis can be caused by infection, allergies, and chemical or particulate irritation of the sinuses.
    • The fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection can include medications, home remedies, alternative therapies, and surgery.
    • Most people do not spread sinus infections to other people.
    • Sinusitis may be classified as acute sinus infection, subacute sinus infection, chronic sinus infection, infected sinusitis, and noninfectious sinusitis.
    • Sinusitis signs and symptoms include

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    Want More Answers And Treatment Now

    Skip the waiting room. Find your care now.

    We will ask you just a few more quick questions. Then, based on your answers we will connect you with one of our virtual care partners sites. They may collect further info, review your history and provide a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan, typically within minutes to hours. This may include prescription medications as necessary, details about your potential condition, expectations, recommendations for treatment, tips for prevention, along with a doctor’s note for excuse from work/school.

  • Based on your online interview you may have a SINUS INFECTION. This can be caused by many things, but a BACTERIA seems most likely.

    The good news is we can help you. Right now.

    These sorts of sinus infections are usually treated with:

  • Prescription antibiotics
  • Over-the-counter pain control and nasal flushes
  • Common Causes Of Sinus Infection

    What Causes Sinusitis? | Sinus Infection | Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

    Sinus infections are caused by either viruses or bacteria, but they can be caused by fungi as well. Although is a very common condition, some people are at higher risk of developing the infection. They include people who:

    • Have abnormalities in the nasal passages, such as or a deformity

    • Have a weakened immune system

    Read Also: Sore Throat And Sinus Remedies

    Recommended Reading: How Do Doctors Know If You Have A Sinus Infection

    Signs Of A Sinus Infection

    One of the most common sinus infection symptoms is feeling pain on your forehead, upper jaw, between your eyes, and your neck. Another sign of sinus infection is that you produce a thick, colored nasal secretion. Your secretion will either be yellowish, white, greenish or tinged with blood.

    Your inflamed sinuses will also restrict how well you breathe. It will affect your sense of taste and smell. Not only that, but it will also affect how you talk, making you sound more stuffy.

    You will experience a lot of irritation in your throat, making you cough more than normal. It could get worse when you lie down and when you wake up.

    You should wait at least 7 to 10 days before going to your doctor. If most symptoms dont disappear for a week or two, its best you go to your doctor immediately. Note that OTC medications wont help in relieving the pain from sinus infections.

    Most Sinus Infections Dont Require Antibiotics

    Ah, . The New England Journal of Medicine published a clinical practice review of acute sinus infections in adults, that is, sinus infections of up to four weeks. The need for an updated review was likely spurred by the disconcerting fact that while the vast majority of acute sinus infections will improve or even clear on their own without antibiotics within one to two weeks, most end up being treated with antibiotics.

    It is this discrepancy that has clinical researchers and public health folks jumping up and down in alarm, because more unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotics mean more side effects and higher bacterial resistance rates. But on the other hand, while 85% of sinus infections improve or clear on their own, theres the 15% that do not. Potential complications are rare, but serious, and include brain infections, even abscesses.

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    When To See A Doctor For Sinusitis

    If you have a persistent headache or fever or if your symptoms have not subsided within 10-14 days, you should contact your doctor or get an online consultation with one of our doctors, who are available 24/7 to assist you. So if you have acute sinusitis symptoms, allergic sinusitis, or require fungal sinus infection treatment or chronic sinusitis treatment, Your Doctors. Online is the place to seek medical advice.

    How To Relieve Sinus Pressure

    Troubled with a sinus infection?

    Some measures to relieve sinus pressure include:. Applying warm compresses to the site. Using a humidifier . Taking a warm shower. Using a nasal saline spray. Keeping yourself hydratedFor more guidance on how to get rid of the dreadful symptoms and relieve sinus pressure, connect with our online doctor for a sinus infection.

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