Think you have a sinus infection? Sinus infections are one of the most common reasons people call my Jacksonville primary care office in the fall.
And I don’t blame you! You’ve got pressure in your face. Your nose is either running nonstop or completely stuffed. There’s drainage down the back of your throat, your ears feel full, and now you’re coughing.
It’s miserable.
But I also get a lot of calls that sound something like: “I’ve had sinus infections. I just need an antibiotic.”
…And the medical professional in me cringes. Prescribing pills without the full story is never my go-to, especially with sinus infection symptoms.
A lot of illnesses can look like a sinus infection in the beginning, and if you’re coughing, wheezing, or feeling short of breath too, I want to put a stethoscope on your lungs and rule out the more serious ‘maybes’ before we start reaching for a Z-Pak.
Sinus Infection Symptoms
Sinus infections happen when the tissue inside your sinuses becomes inflamed, and fluid builds up. That’s what causes the infamous pressure in your face that most of us associate with a sinus infection.
But there are a ton of other symptoms too.
Common symptoms can include:
- Facial pain or pressure
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Runny nose or congestion
- Ear pain, clogging, or muffled hearing
- Headache
- Post-nasal drip or mucus
Sometimes the drainage is what starts the sore throat. It runs down the back of your throat, irritates everything along the way, and then the coughing starts too.
Your ears can get involved because all of that congestion and pressure can leave them feeling full or make your hearing sound muffled.
Because so many of these symptoms overlap with colds, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses, it can be hard to know what you’re actually dealing with on your own.
Is It A Sinus Infection Or A Cold?
This is where I need you to let me do a little doctoring.
Colds and seasonal allergies (which are also big in Jacksonville in the Fall) can look and feel a lot like a sinus infection. It’s hard to tell which is which from afar.
But the biggest reason why it’s important to get seen in person is that there are two main causes of sinus infections – they can be either viral or bacterial. Most are actually caused by viruses, which means antibiotics don’t work on them.
The only way to truly tell if it’s viral or bacterial is a nasal swab and a culture.
And I don’t like to waste people’s time paying for a visit and antibiotics unless it’s going to help. So, I don’t prescribe an antibiotic just because someone calls and says, “I get these every year. I know what this is.”
Come in. Let me look at you first. Let’s figure out what we’re actually treating before we start throwing medication at it.
And Since I Know You Have Questions…
Let’s get some of them out of the way before you end up three hours deep in a Google or ChatGPT rabbit hole trying to diagnose yourself.
How long does a sinus infection last?
Most sinus infections start improving within 7–10 days on their own.
Will a sinus infection go away by itself or do I need antibiotics?
Many go away on their own. There are a lot of prescribers that tend to throw a Z-Pak at it. But because sinus infection symptoms are also the symptoms of 10 other health concerns, including some more serious ones, it’s important that you come in and get seen in-person.
Can a primary care doctor treat a sinus infection or do I need urgent care?
Absolutely. Sinus infections are exactly the kind of issues we treat in primary care. If you already have a primary care provider, give them a call. If you need a new one and are near Bartram Park, Orange Park, Jacksonville, or St Johns and want to come in to our Jacksonville office – give us a call.
Can we do a telehealth visit?
I love telehealth visits, but not for your sinuses. You can’t hear the lungs in a telehealth call. You can’t do a swab to see if it’s viral or bacterial. I can’t take your vitals to make sure this isn’t something more serious. Just come in. It’s better to get the right diagnosis the first time.
How do I know if this is a sinus infection vs. allergies?
There can be a lot of overlap, especially in Jacksonville where we get allergies in spring and fall. Both sinus infections and allergies cause congestion, sinus pressure, and a runny nose, which is why it can be hard to tell on your own. Allergies are more likely to come with things like sneezing and itchy or watery eyes, while a sinus infection can cause more facial pain or pressure, headache, post-nasal drip and drainage.
What happens if you let a sinus infection go untreated?
Don’t be too quick to dismiss sinus infections. A lot of sinus infections will clear up on their own, but they’re still a serious health concern. Sometimes there’s more going on, like pneumonia, or the infection can spread if left untreated.
And of course, the hundred-dollar question…
When Should You See A Doctor For A Sinus Infection?
Look, I’m with you. I know not every stuffy nose needs a doctor’s appointment. And you can’t always take off work every time you wake up with a scratchy throat.
Sometimes you really do cough once, notice a little congestion, and then realize it’s because you slept with the fan on all night.
So, I want you to have a cheat sheet for when you’re more likely to need to come in.
- If you’ve been battling sinus infection symptoms for more than 10 days and they’re not getting better
- If your symptoms suddenly spike or get much worse
- If you become wheezy or it’s hard to breathe
- If it’s a young child or senior who’s showing symptoms
- Or if you have an underlying condition that may also be coming into play
That’s when it’s time to come in and let us take a look.
What Does Sinus Treatment Look Like?
If you’re dealing with a viral infection, most of the time it just needs to run its course.
But you don’t need to suffer along. You can use over-the-counter medications for pain, headaches, and that uncomfortable nasal congestion.
If you’re dealing with a bacterial sinus infection, then we’ll need to test to see which antibiotic is the best treatment for you.
Looking For Sinus Infection Treatment In Jacksonville, FL?
We’re here to help! No one wants to deal with uncomfortable sinus irritation or pressure. My team and I at NOLA Care offer full-service primary care in Jacksonville, FL, and that includes sinus infection treatment.
If you’ve been sick for a week or more, the pressure isn’t letting up, or that cough has started settling into your chest, don’t keep waiting it out because you’re hoping it’ll disappear.
Make an appointment. We’ll talk through what you’ve been experiencing, look at your symptoms, listen to your lungs, and figure out what you actually need to start feeling better.
Hey there, I’m Ashley Roussell, DNP, FNP-C
I started NOLA Care to make sure quality healthcare was available for everyone in Jacksonville. That’s why we offer direct primary care (DPC) and affordable healthcare memberships for the whole family.
Sinus pressure is treatable, but only with the proper diagnosis. It’s time to take this offline and into an appointment. You deserve to have answers and a primary care provider who treats you like a person, not another slot on their calendar. If you’re ready, my team and I are here for you.
