Acute Sinusitis

Sinusitis (Acute)

For GP – Not Sinusitis
The patient’s answers suggest that they do not have sinusitis. Please consider the form below, decide what course of action is required and communicate this to the patient. 

Please complete this form if you suspect that you have Acute Sinusitis.

Acute Sinusitis is a viral or bacterial infection of your sinuses causing facial pain and nasal blockage or discharge.

Only 1 in every 200 sinus infections is bacterial requiring antibiotics. 199 out of 200 can be managed with steroid nasal sprays and do not require an appointment. 

The outcome of the form is based on the choices you make and will be one of:

  1. Advice and a prescription
  2. An appointment

First let’s check you don’t have any symptoms requiring emergency care:

Please go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department Immediately
Your symptoms suggest severe infective sinusitis or sepsis and are not appropriate to be assessed by your GP practice. 

Your Details

Let’s check you do have sinusitis.

I have the following symptoms:

Not Sinusitis
If you do not have the combination of Nasal Discharge or Blockage and facial pain then you do not have Sinusitis. Please tell us below what symptoms you do have and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

Acute Sinusitis
Your symptoms do suggest that you have acute sinusitis as you suspect.

Tell us a bit more so we can see if this is likely a Viral or Bacterial infection

How long have you been unwell?
Do you have a fever? (>38.C)
What is coming from your nose?

Likely Bacterial Sinusitis

You are likely to have a Bacterial Sinus Infection and we would recommend the following treatment:

  • A course of antibiotics.
  • Salt Water rinses. These can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets such as Sterimar or you can make your own at home as described in this article.
  • Steroid Nasal Sprays such as Beconase are powerful anti-inflammatories. These can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets and used for 3 months. Alternatively, we can prescribe one for you.
How Would You Like to Proceed?

Likely Viral Infection

You are likely to have a Viral Sinus Infection and we would recommend the following treatment:

  • Salt Water rinses. These can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets such as Sterimar or you can make your own at home as described in this article.
  • Steroid Nasal Sprays such as Beconase are powerful anti-inflammatories. These can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets and used for 3 months. Alternatively, we can prescribe one for you.
How Would You Like to Proceed?
This form collects your name, date of birth, email, other personal information and medical details. This is to confirm you are registered with the practice, to allow the practice team to contact you and also to update your medical records held by the practice and our partners in the NHS. Please read our privacy policy to discover how we protect and manage your submitted data.
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