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Sinusitis - Rhinosinusitis

Very low urgency
Common-

It is an inflammation in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Multiple infectious (viruses, bacteria, fungi) and non-infectious (allergic, barotrauma, exposure to irritants) causes have been described.

Symptoms include nasal congestion and obstruction, fluid discharge from the nose, maxillary discomfort, facial pain and sinus pressure when leaning forward.

Diagnosis is clinical by questioning and physical examination.

Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with analgesics, antihistamines and nasal washes. It is advisable to ensure proper hydration, to inhale water vapor and to use a humidifier. If the sinusitis is of bacterial origin, antibiotics will be added to the treatment.

Bibliographic references
  1. Peter H Hwang.Acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. UpToDate. Apr 12, 2016.
  2. Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2015; 152:S1.
  3. Tan T, Little P, Stokes T, Guideline Development Group. Antibiotic prescribing for self limiting respiratory tract infections in primary care: summary of NICE guidance. BMJ 2008; 337:a437.
  4. Michael A. Rubin, Larry C. Ford, Ralph Gonzales. Infecciones de senos paranasales. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 19º Edición. 226-228
  5. J. Mensa. Sinusitis. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 12º edición.2502-2502
  6. Isabel Mª Fernández Agudelo, Manuel Padilla Parrado, Agustín Julián Jiménez. Infecciones de las vías respiratorias altas. Manual de protocolos y actuación en Urgencias. 3ª edición. 2010. 627-630.
  7. Ellen R Wald. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children: Clinical features and diagnosis. UpToDate. Abril 2016
  8. Wald ER. Effectiveness of amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium in the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis in children. Pediatrics 2009; 124:9.
  9. Cherry JD. Rhinosinusitis. In: Feigin and Cherry’s Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 7th ed, Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, et al (Eds), Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia 2014. p.193.
  10. Wolf G. Development of the paranasal sinuses in children: implications for paranasal sinus surgery. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1993; 102:705.
  11. Wald ER. Rhinitis and acute and chronic sinusitis. In: Pediatric Otolaryngology, 2nd ed, Bluestone CD, Stool SE, Sheetz MD (Eds), Saunders, Philadelphia 1990. p.729.
Author
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    The sinuses are very sensitive to the touch

    Sinus pain

    Green mucus in the nose

    Fever / Feel very hot

    Runny nose

Symptoms to watch out for

Fever not relieved by antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
Sudden severe pain in the face/head
Double vision
Difficulty thinking clearly
Neck stiffness
Swelling or redness around one or both eyes.

Self-care

Take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
For nasal congestion and runny nose, use nasal inhalers containing antihistamines and/or decongestants.
Do not take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.
Inhale water vapor to keep the throat moist 2 times a day.
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