Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis, Sinus infection, Rhinosinusitis
Sinusitis, also called a sinus infection, is the inflammation of the sinuses—air-filled spaces in the skull around the nose and eyes. It often develops after a cold or allergies cause swelling that blocks normal mucus drainage, leading to congestion, facial pressure, headache, and nasal discharge. Most cases are viral and improve within 7–10 days without antibiotics, though bacterial sinusitis can cause more severe or persistent symptoms. Chronic sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or longer and may involve ongoing inflammation, often linked to allergies, nasal polyps, or structural issues. Treatment may include nasal saline rinses, decongestants, corticosteroid sprays, and, in some cases, antibiotics or surgery.
The treatment landscape for sinusitis includes both symptomatic relief and targeted therapies. Pain, rhinorrhea, and fever are commonly managed with supportive care. Antibiotics like amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, doxycycline, and levofloxacin are used to treat bacterial sinusitis, with the choice depending on factors such as severity, resistance patterns, and patient characteristics. Intranasal corticosteroids like fluticasone and decongestants such as pseudoephedrine and oxymetazoline provide symptomatic relief, while saline rinses help clear mucus and enhance the delivery of topical medications. The selection of treatment depends on the underlying cause, symptom severity, and individual patient factors.
Sign in to access treatments and see what the community has shared!
Sign inTreatments Shared by the Community
Explore what patients, caregivers, and clinicians have said about these treatments.
8 Treatments for Sinusitis
Nasal irrigation, nasal wash, Neti-pot
Afrin
Flonase
Levaquin
Augmentin
Sudafed
Sign in to compare treatments and make informed decisions!
Sign inExplore various treatment options to empower yourself in making a well-informed choice.
Choose treatments from the menu above to see how they compare side by side.
Choose treatments from the menu above to see how they compare side by side.
Choose treatments from the menu above to see how they compare side by side.