Sinus Infection Treatment for Adults & Children in Newtown, CT

Sinus Infection Treatment Newtown CT

A sinus infection (sinusitis) is inflammation of the tissues of your sinuses, which can cause significant discomfort. Your sinuses are located in your forehead, on either side of your nose, and between your eyes. These hollow cavities are typically filled with air, but infections can cause them to swell up and become filled with mucus and fluid. This leads to congestion, runny nose, sinus pressure, and headaches. Sinus infections can be bacterial, viral, or fungal in nature, and can also be caused by allergies in some cases. If you have had symptoms of a sinus infection for more than 10 days or your symptoms are accompanied by a high fever, visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Newtown, Connecticut, for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

How to Know if You Have a Viral, Bacterial, or Fungal Sinus Infection

It’s not possible to determine if your sinus infection is viral, bacterial, or fungal from symptoms alone, although the length of the infection can indicate the type. Viral sinus infection symptoms usually start to improve within five to seven days, while bacterial sinus infection symptoms often last 10 days or longer and get worse after seven days. 

Fungal sinus infections are fairly rare, typically occurring in those with compromised immune systems and causing more serious symptoms. Most cases of sinus infections are viral—in particular, sinusitis is likely to be caused by rhinovirus, which also causes the common cold.

All types of sinus infections cause essentially the same symptoms, which include:

  • Stuffy nose
  • Runny nose with thick yellow or green mucus
  • Postnasal drip (mucus running down your throat)
  • Sinus pressure (around your nose, eyes, forehead, cheeks, ears, and teeth) that may get worse when you move your head or bend over
  • Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Fatigue

How Is a Sinus Infection Diagnosed?

At PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Newtown, we use a two-step approach to diagnose sinus infections. First, we learn about the symptoms you’re experiencing and their severity. Second, we perform a physical exam using a nasal endoscope (a small tool with a light on it) to get a better idea of your condition. Typically, this is all we need to do to diagnose a sinus infection, but in some cases, we may need to run lab tests, such as a nasal culture or blood test, in our on-site lab. More severe infections may require a CT scan or a biopsy.

How Is a Sinus Infection Treated?

Sinus infection treatment may involve antibiotics—which are only effective against bacterial sinus infections—but home remedies and over-the-counter medications can also help relieve symptoms. Supportive sinus care options include:

  • Using saline nasal spray two or three times per day
  • Staying hydrated by drinking lots of fluids
  • Using over-the-counter cold and allergy medications or decongestants
  • Undergoing facial massage, acupressure, or acupuncture

If your symptoms persist after 10 days, a medical provider may prescribe antibiotics or other medications such as oral or topical decongestants or prescription nasal steroid sprays.

When to Visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Newtown for a Sinus Infection

If you’ve been dealing with sinus infection symptoms for a week or longer, or if you have a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, come to PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Newtown for prompt treatment. Our urgent care center is open 365 days per year with extended hours, and we also offer 24/7 integrated virtual care so you can speak to a local provider from home (or anywhere else) at any time of day or night. We offer friendly, professional, and fast care when and where you want it.

We accept most major insurances and offer reasonable self-pay rates for those without insurance. Referrals are never required to see one of our providers. You can simply walk in anytime during our operating hours or reserve your place in line before you arrive with our online booking system. Don’t wait weeks to see your primary care provider or rack up an exorbitant bill at the ER—head to our clean and comfortable office instead, where you’ll be seen promptly.

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Throughout the visit I felt like the staff really cared. The doctor took his time talking with me about my symptoms, and I felt like he listened to all my concerns and took that into consideration when recommending the right treatment. Thank you!
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Hamden, CT
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