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Sinus Infection Treatment Orange County, CA

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is a respiratory condition characterized by the infection and inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses. While it is possible for sinusitis to go away on its own, untreated it if it worsens can potentially cause problems.

The Family Care Centers Medical Group (FCCMG) has been dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care to patients since our founding in 1982. Conveniently located throughout Orange County, CA, our urgent care centers are staffed by board-certified providers rendering comprehensive care and treatment.

Highlights of Our Urgent Care Centers

Open every day (our Costa Mesa facility to be open daily starting January 2022)
On-site lab and X-ray facilities for immediate testing
Certified, well-trained, and experienced providers
Friendly and compassionate staff
Online check-in facilities to get seen quickly
Free parking

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Sinus Infection Causes and Symptoms

An infection of the sinuses — large spaces in your skull that warm and filter inhaled air — can result from viruses, bacteria, and in rare cases, fungi. Seasonal allergies, as well as irritants such as chemicals, smoke, nasal sprays, pollen, and mold, can also inflame the sinuses. Sinus infections are generally more common in the winter months.

Common symptoms for sinusitis include:

Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Facial pressure and pain
Facial swelling
Loss or distortion of smell

Fever
Fatigue
Sore throat
Ear infection
Headache

When Do You Need an Urgent Care Visit for a Sinus Infection?

When you or your loved one develop sinusitis, you need to monitor the symptoms for about 7 to 10 days. During this period, you can also use over-the-counter medications to ease the symptoms. Nonprescription medicines coupled with home remedies and a healthy lifestyle can help alleviate some of the symptoms of sinusitis. However, unlike mild sinus infections that can clear up within a few days, acute sinusitis infections may require more. Consider visiting our urgent care facilities if:

Over-the-counter medications fail to relieve sinusitis symptoms within a few days
Temperature exceeds 100.4°F (38°C)
Symptoms worsen, or last more than 10 days

How Do We Diagnose Sinusitis?

We diagnose sinusitis based on your symptoms and history. We may ask questions about how long your symptoms have lasted, how they’ve progressed, your medical history, and the presence of any possible triggering factors. We will also perform a physical exam to check your nasal cavity.

Many sinusitis symptoms overlap with COVID. We will discuss COVID testing as part of your evaluation.

Sinusitis Treatment

For mild sinus infections, we may recommend non-prescription medications such as nasal sprays, decongestants, pain relievers, and allergy medications. We can prescribe antibiotics if you have bacterial infection, and if your symptoms worsen, we can recommend additional, more specialized care.

Will You Need Antibiotics for Your Sinus Infection?

Antibiotics are only suitable to treat sinus infections that are bacterial. Viral sinus infections typically do not require medical intervention, and antibiotics will not improve them. Antibiotics are also useless against sinus inflammations caused by second-hand smoke or any other airborne irritants.

We can also review the advisability of using antibiotics, which can also negatively impact the health gut bacteria.

Could You Be Mistaking Your Sinus Infection for a Cold?

Like a sinus infection, the common cold also affects the nasal mucous membranes, causing similar symptoms. The major differences between the two include:

A cold typically lasts less than 10 days, while a sinus infection may last longer
A cold often has a number of symptoms, including sore throat, runny nose, plugged ears, and a mild cough; a sinus infection predominantly has facial pressure, pain, and nasal discharge

Symptoms of the common cold include:

Sneezing
Coughing
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Body aches and mild headaches
Teary eyes

General fatigue
Loss of taste or smell
Postnasal drip
Swollen lymph nodes
Low-grade fever

Visit One of Our Urgent Care Clinics for Sinusitis Treatment Today!

If you or any of your family members have sinusitis or other respiratory conditions, visit one of our urgent care clinics: Irvine Woodbridge Walk-In Urgent Care, Fountain Valley Urgent Care, or Costa Mesa Urgent Care in CA, today for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. We offer both appointment-based primary care and non-appointment “walk-in” urgent care to our patients at our clinics.