Walk In Clinic Sinus Infection

What Causes Sinus Infections

There are many different causes of sinusitis, such as bacteria, viruses, allergens, and even chemicals or pollutants. The incidence of sinusitis often increases in the spring and fall, when allergens become more prominent.

Viral sinus infections: Research has shown that approximately ninety percent of sinus infections are caused by a virus. Viral sinusitis usually lasts just seven to ten days, and its symptoms can be effectively treated without antibiotics.

Bacterial sinus infections: Bacterial sinusitis often develops on the heels of viral or allergic sinusitis. Patients with bacterial sinus infections usually display symptoms for more than 10 days, have moderate to severe headache and facial pain, fever, and colored mucus.

When To Seek Urgent Care For A Sinus Infection

Most minor sinus infections get better on their own without the need for medical treatment. More severe sinus infections, however, require urgent care.

First and most importantly, it is important to seek urgent care for a sinus infection if the symptoms begin to worsen or last for an extended amount of time. In the event you have severe trouble breathing due to your sinus infection, then be sure to come in for a visit as soon as possible to have your sinuses cleared out. Also, keep a close eye on your symptoms and seek medical attention if they do not improve after a week.

Additionally, urgent care is highly encouraged if your child develops a sinus infection as they have less of an ability to fight off the infection quickly. Also, it can be much more challenging to diagnose the cause of the sinus inflammation in children. In some cases, the reason could be due to an underlying allergy that you were not aware about.

When you visit, expect us to thoroughly examine you or your childs symptoms and document any information that is relevant to make a proper diagnosis. It may be helpful for you and your child to make a list of all of the symptoms that you or your child has been experiencing, any medications that are currently being taken and any allergies that may exist. Also, consider any questions you may want to ask the doctor at your visit.

How Much Does A Walk

If you or a member or your family has ever been faced with a non-emergency illness or injury, you probably have questions about the pros and cons of seeking treatment at a walk-in medical clinic versus a hospital emergency room. Cost is the number one concern for many people in need of medical care, especially those worried about incurring medical debt, and when it comes to non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses, choosing a walk-in clinic over a hospital emergency room can save you a great deal of money as well as time. If you have a minor condition, such as a fever, cough, cold or broken bone, it may be in your best interest to use a walk-in clinic instead of going to the emergency room.

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How To Clear A Sinus Infection

There are many remedies to relieve symptoms of a sinus infection. Depending on what is causing the symptoms, you may be able to treat mild sinusitis at home.

Try inhaling steam several times a day. Place a towel over your head while breathing in the steam from a bowl of hot water. You can also use a vaporizer, neti pot, or take a hot, steamy shower.

If you try these sinus infection remedies, but continue to struggle with sinusitis, visit your local FastMed. No appointment is necessary. We can prescribe the appropriate antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays, or other treatments that will soothe your headache and get you back on your feetusually far faster and at less expense than the typical emergency room.

Treatment Options For A Sinus Infection

If your symptoms become a severe cause for concern , you may need to visit our urgent care for additional treatment. Upon entering our urgent care facility, the first thing we will do is an assessment. There are several common tactics performed to try and diagnose a sinus infection, which include a detailed examination into your nasal passageways.

After diagnosis, there are several treatment options available, and the exact treatment method decided upon is based mainly upon the cause of the infection. In the event the sinus infection is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics, which is often the most successful method used. However, antibiotics do not work for viral infections. Instead, antiviral medications are likely to be given for viral infections such as the cold.

One of the main reasons for sinus inflammation is allergies, which is a condition where the immune system rejects a substance it deems harmful. If allergies are determined to be the cause of the sinus inflammation, a steroid spray can be prescribed. The nasal spray should help reduce the severity of the reaction, which ultimately allows the sinus inflammation to stay at a tolerable level.

Regardless of the medical treatment that is given for the sinus infection, there are over-the-counter medications that can also be taken to help deal with the symptoms, which include:

• Pain relievers
• Steroids

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How Do You Treat It

Its smarter to go to a doctor to treat your sinus infection. You can choose to treat it yourself and improve your body to fight against the infection. Start by avoiding anything that irritates your nose and eyes.

Make sure you wash your hand frequently to keep your sinuses from getting infected and irritated by viruses. Relieve your breathing by adding a humidifier to moisturize the room air. Try using nasal spray decongestants as these will keep your sinuses moist and prevent any swelling present in the passages.

When Should I Go To Urgent Care

It may be necessary to visit M.D. Express Urgent Care immediately if you experience:

• Sudden and severe pain in the sinus or nasal area
• Sudden worsening of your cold symptoms such as pain, headache, or fever
• Blurred or double vision
• Swelling of the area around your eyes
• Severe pain when tilting your head forward

Read Also: Do Sinus Infections Get Better On Their Own

What Can I Take For A Sinus Infection

Most sinus infection medicines are meant to treat symptoms. Mentholated medications may help open nasal passages, and expectorants can thin and help drain the mucous. Ibuprofen or naproxen should help to relieve pain and swelling. Acetaminophen will relieve pain, but will not reduce inflammation.

Other sinus infection remedies include saline sprays and irrigation methods, such as a neti pot. Your FastMed sinusitis team can help you determine the best solution for your particular type of sinus disease.

Visit Your Local Urgent Care

If your common cold has turned into a painful sinus infection, let the experienced medical professionals at your local urgent care handle it. Our expert team will inspect your symptoms and get you the right antibiotics to get rid of sinusitis once and for all.

to learn more about urgent care and how we can help keep you healthy.

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Common Causes Of Sinus Infection

You can easily get sinus infections, depending on your environment. If you stay in a house filled with mold and dust, you can get sinus infections more often than other people. You also get a higher chance of developing the infection when you have a cold or allergy.

Other people with the following also have a higher risk of getting sinus infections:

• Asthma
• Weak immune system
• Often smokes or drinks

People with other medical conditions, such as HIV, also risk getting a sinus infection. Try to take note of your allergies and medical conditions as not to get complications. You could get complications like vision problems and skin infection.

When Does A Sinus Infection Require Visiting An Urgent Care

Sinuses are cavities or spaces in the head that are interconnected by channels. Sinuses produce mucus, which keeps the nose clean and free of bacteria. However, the sinuses can become infected, and instead of pockets of just air, they become clogged with thick mucus.

A mild case of sinus infection can be treated at home. If what you have is a severe sinus infection, leave it to a medical professional to effectively treat it.

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How To Relieve Sinus Pressure

The key to sinus infection treatment is to keep your sinus cavities moist. The following steps should help:

If symptoms persist for longer than a few weeks, you may be suffering from chronic sinusitis. Visit your local FastMed for an evaluation and treatment. You may need antibiotics for a bacterial sinus infection, another prescription remedy, or referral to a specialist to effectively treat a chronic sinus condition.

When To Seek Medical Care

See a doctor if you have:

• Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain.
• Symptoms that get worse after improving.
• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
• Fever longer than 3-4 days.

You should also seek medical care if you have had multiple sinus infections in the past year.

This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning.

Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection, including:

• Seasonal allergies

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Treatment Cost At Walk

The main question most people have about walk-in medical clinics is how much does a walk-in clinic cost. The fact of the matter is, the cost of emergency medical treatment paired with the time patients generally spend waiting around in ER waiting rooms should be enough to convince more people to consider seeking treatment at a walk-in clinic. Compared to an emergency room visit, which can cost anywhere from $150 to $3,000 or considerably more, the average cost of using a walk-in clinic is about $50 to $150 per patient, depending on the patientâs copay and the level of treatment required. According to Debt.org, when you use a walk-in medical clinic, you can expect the pay the following amounts for these common medical conditions without insurance:

• Allergies: $97
• Strep throat: $111
• Urinary tract infection: $112
• Pink eye: $102
• Earache: $110
• Bronchitis: $127
• Upper respiratory infection: $111
• Sinusitis: $112

Is It A Cold Covid

One of the challenging things about recognizing COVID-19 and other illnesses is that they can share some of the same symptoms. Many articles have been written comparing the symptoms of COVID-19 and influenza, as these two illnesses have perhaps the most in common. But many symptoms of COVID-19 also resemble those of a cold or sinus infection . Learn to tell the difference and how to get the right treatment for your illness.

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Cold Vs Sinus Infection

One of the most frequent complaints that patients have during the winter months is the common cold. Runny nose, stuffy head, headache, coughing, and fatigue seem to plague everyone at some point between September and April. But how do you know if your cold is more than a cold? And when should you seek treatment for those cold symptoms?

Well break it down for you and share the symptoms and common treatments, as well as let you know when you should go to your local walk-in or urgent care clinic. Keep this handy guide close by to help you navigate the cold season.

The Common Cold

Referred to as rhinitis in the medical world, the common cold is something just about everyone deals with at some point. Colds are viral, meaning treatments like antibiotics will not work. So what do you do if you have a cold? Treat the symptoms.

These are the most common symptoms of a cold:

• Cough
• Fatigue

Treating a Cold

When you have a cold, you need to treat the symptoms and take steps to make yourself more comfortable. Most doctors recommend overt-the-counter medications:

Some healthcare providers recommend using a nasal irrigation system like a neti pot or saline rinse. This can be effective at helping your body rid itself of the excess mucus that comes along with colds.

When you have a cold, you should also increase your fluid intake and get plenty of rest. Warm, clear fluids can help thin mucus secretions and be soothing for sore throats and head congestion.

Sinus Infections

Treating A Sinus Infection

Sinus infections are different from colds because they are caused by bacteria growing in blocked sinuses. Because of this, they may improve with antibiotics. Depending on your situation, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as antibiotics, or other drugs that can help relieve your pain and lessen the swelling in your sinuses.

If you feel you may have a sinus infection that is worsening, visit your urgent care clinic or primary care physician as soon as possible. You could receive treatment to help you recover faster.

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Medical Treatment For Sinus Infections

Medical treatment typically will include a course of antibiotics specifically targeted to eradicate the bacteria that is most likely causing the sinusitis, powerful oral antihistamines and/or decongestants, steroid medication, and nasal steroid sprays. Patients should start to feel some relief within 24 to 48 hours, but the entire length of treatment my be for 7-10 days.

If you suspect you may have a sinus infection, come see us today!

Causes Of The Common Cold Covid

The common cold and COVID-19 are both caused by different viruses. The virus that causes the cold affects the upper respiratory tract, while the novel coronavirus can affect both the upper and lower respiratory tract.

A sinus infection is caused when your sinuses get blocked and fill with fluid, allowing bacteria to grow. The blockage can be due to allergies, nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or a virus like the cold. The infection can cause swelling or inflammation in the sinuses. This can cause several symptoms, many of which are similar to that of a cold.

Read Also: What Medicine Is Best For Sinus Cold

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.

Urgent Care Services & Pricing

Urgent care centers, which are part of the walk-in clinic healthcare category, are a convenient resource for consumers needing treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. Services that you would normally receive at your primary care office are usually available at an urgent care including annual and school physicals, flu shots and immunizations, treatment for illnesses including colds, flu stomach pains, sinus and ear infections and more. You can also be seen for injuries such as burns, bites, sprains and breaks – things that you might first thing to go to the emergency room vs urgent care, but youll have a shorter wait and smaller bill at the urgent care. As for cost, without insurance, you should expect between $100-140 for your visit, plus the cost of any labs, tests or images. With insurance, urgent care will be similar to seeing a specialist with applicable co-pay.

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Afc Urgent Care Has A Doctor Nearby Serving Communities Near Phoenixville Pa

Diagnosing your own illness can be a difficult task year-round. Even if the weather is cold and you have a stuffy nose, sometimes cold symptoms can be misleading. At AFC Urgent Care in Phoenixville, our experienced doctors and physicians focus on diagnosing our patients correctly and quickly. One of the first steps in diagnosing and treatment of a sickness versus an allergy is to know the difference between various illnesses.

Here is some more information on what may be causing those sniffles:

Colds: Symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms, but can also include a sore throat, fever, and body aches. Most colds happen over the span of a few days and clear up relatively fast.

Allergies: Symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, wheezing, or watery itchy eyes. Allergies are usually set off by being exposed to a specific allergen, so you’ll notice that they reoccur often, rather than hitting you hard like a cold.

Sinus Infection: The symptoms of Sinus Infection are very specific to the nasal area. From a swollen, painful feeling around your forehead and cheeks to a very stuffy nose, the indicators of Sinus Infection are noticeable and can last up to four weeks. Nasal symptoms can also be accompanied by a sore throat and colored mucus.

At our walk-in clinic in Phoenixville, we can help clear your earwax quickly and efficiently, with no appointment necessary. We look forward to helping you with all your illness symptoms at AFC Urgent Care!