Cold, flu & breathing

Sinus infection (sinusitis): virtual care options

A sinus infection happens when the spaces behind your nose, cheeks, and forehead become swollen and blocked. Many start after a cold and are caused by viruses, though some are bacterial.

See virtual care for Sinus infection

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Common symptoms

What people often notice. Only a provider can tell you what’s causing yours.

Pressure or pain around the eyes, cheeks, or forehead
Stuffy nose and trouble breathing through it
Thick yellow or green mucus
Mucus dripping down the back of the throat
Reduced sense of smell
Headache or tooth ache in the upper jaw

What a virtual visit may involve

Care is decided by the provider, based on your situation.

A video or online visit where a licensed provider asks how long symptoms have lasted and whether they are getting better or worse
A provider decides whether the pattern suggests a bacterial infection that may need treatment
Prescriptions, if appropriate, can be sent to a pharmacy near you
Advice on easing pressure and congestion at home

When in-person care may be better

Urgent care, your doctor, or a clinic can examine and test you.

You get sinus infections several times a year or they last longer than 12 weeks
Symptoms have not improved after treatment
You have a weakened immune system
A provider wants to examine your nose or order imaging

When to go to the ER

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

Swelling or redness around the eye
Vision changes, such as double vision
A severe headache with a stiff neck
High fever with confusion

Ready to explore a virtual visit for Sinus infection?

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Common questions

Sinus infection, answered.

General information, not medical advice. A provider can answer questions about your situation.

Can a doctor prescribe antibiotics for a sinus infection online?

A provider may prescribe antibiotics through a virtual visit if your symptoms suggest a bacterial infection. Many sinus infections are viral and improve without antibiotics, so the provider decides based on your symptoms and how long they have lasted.

How long does a sinus infection last?

Many get better within about 7 to 10 days. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days, or that get better and then worse, are a good reason to talk to a provider.

How do I know if my sinus infection is bacterial?

Symptoms that last more than 10 days, a high fever with thick mucus, or symptoms that improve and then return worse can point to a bacterial cause. Only a provider can make that call.

This is not for emergencies.

For life-threatening symptoms, severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.