Sinus Infection

Rhinosinusitis means the lining of your nose and sinus cavities is swollen, usually after a cold or allergies. Common signs include a stuffy or blocked nose, thick nasal drainage, facial pressure or pain (often in the cheeks, forehead, or around the eyes), post‑nasal drip with a cough (worse at night), less ability to smell or taste, ear fullness, bad breath, tiredness, and sometimes fever or aching upper teeth. Symptoms under 4 weeks are “acute.” When they last 12 weeks or more, it’s “chronic.”

Most cases start from a virus and get better with self‑care. Focus on comfort: drink plenty of fluids, rest, use warm showers or steam, and try saline nasal rinses to clear mucus. Over‑the‑counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease pain and fever. Intranasal steroid sprays can reduce swelling; short‑term decongestants may help but shouldn’t be used for more than a few days. If allergies trigger symptoms, daily allergy meds and avoiding triggers can prevent flare‑ups. Antibiotics are only helpful when a bacterial infection is likely—such as symptoms lasting beyond 10 days without improvement, or getting worse after initially feeling better.

Important symptoms to watch for include: swelling around the eyes, vision changes, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, or high fever. We’ll decide on the safest plan together.