Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen Infections Go AwayHealing TimelineWhat Speeds Recovery?Why One Might Not ClearWorsening SignsWhen Antibiotics Are Needed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When Infections Go Away
Healing Timeline
What Speeds Recovery?
Why One Might Not Clear
Worsening Signs
When Antibiotics Are Needed
This article will cover steps to take when a sinus infection doesn’t get better and what to do if it gets worse.
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When Can a Sinus Infection Go Away on Its Own?
There is no cure for a viral sinus infection. Antibiotics are reserved for treating bacterial infections and as long as there are no complications from the infection, treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms.
For many people, it’s suitable to allow bacterial sinus infections to run their course. In fact, 75% of bacterial sinus infections will clear up without antibiotic treatment. However, it is recommended to treat the symptoms that come along with a sinus infection.
Sinusitis
Healing Timeline: Signs of Improving Sinus Infection
A sinus infection causes a series of symptoms that make those with the condition feel very uncomfortable. The symptoms can include:
The best way to tell that a sinus infection is getting better is when the above symptoms start to go away after seven to 10 days from the onset.Signs of improvement include a less runny nose and a less irritated throat.
It’s important to take note if symptoms improve but then get worse. This often is a sign of a bacterial sinus infection.
Can You Get a Fever With a Sinus Infection?
What Helps Clear a Sinus Infection Faster
One of the best ways to help clear a sinus infection is to treat the symptoms to alleviate congestion and discomfort. Here are steps to relieve symptoms:
Chronic Sinus SymptomsAchronic sinus infectionlasts for more than 12 weeks. Managing symptoms for that long can have a negative effect on a person’s daily life.When someone has a chronic sinus infection, it sometimes is due to chronic inflammation or an incompletely resolved infection. This means that a different antibiotic or longer antibiotic treatment is needed. In some cases, there may need to be more testing to determine the exact route of treatment that is necessary.
Chronic Sinus Symptoms
Achronic sinus infectionlasts for more than 12 weeks. Managing symptoms for that long can have a negative effect on a person’s daily life.When someone has a chronic sinus infection, it sometimes is due to chronic inflammation or an incompletely resolved infection. This means that a different antibiotic or longer antibiotic treatment is needed. In some cases, there may need to be more testing to determine the exact route of treatment that is necessary.
Achronic sinus infectionlasts for more than 12 weeks. Managing symptoms for that long can have a negative effect on a person’s daily life.
When someone has a chronic sinus infection, it sometimes is due to chronic inflammation or an incompletely resolved infection. This means that a different antibiotic or longer antibiotic treatment is needed. In some cases, there may need to be more testing to determine the exact route of treatment that is necessary.
When Doesn’t a Sinus Infection Go Away on Its Own?
While most sinus infections will go away on their own, a small percentage will not. These sinus infections are called chronic sinus infections.
A healthcare provider will need to treat a chronic sinus infection. They will assess the cause and determine the best route of treatment.
For some people, this may requiresurgeryto widen the sinus opening or removenasal polyps.
Signs of Worsening Sinus Infection
A sinus infection is a very common condition that typically resolves with minimal treatment. Sometimes, a sinus infection lingers and becomes worse. This can lead to serious complications that need medical attention. Below are signs of a worsening sinus infection that need immediate medical attention:
How to Get Antibiotics for a Sinus Infection
When a sinus infection has lasted for more than 10 days then it may be time forantibiotics. Contact a healthcare provider to get a prescription. Some healthcare providers will want to see their patients in person, whereas others may be willing to prescribe medication over the phone.
The pharmacist to whom the prescription is sent should explain any potential side effects and screen for medication interactions.
COVID-19 Testing for Sinus InfectionsCOVID-19 is a viral respiratory infection that can cause a sinus infection. A healthcare provider may want to test someone for COVID-19 to determine the cause of the infection. This can help guide their treatment plan.
COVID-19 Testing for Sinus Infections
COVID-19 is a viral respiratory infection that can cause a sinus infection. A healthcare provider may want to test someone for COVID-19 to determine the cause of the infection. This can help guide their treatment plan.
Summary
Sinus infections are painful and can interfere with daily life and activities. Most of the time, for a healthy individual, a sinus infection will go away on its own, but when it lasts for more than 10 days or worsens then a healthcare provider may need to prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).UpToDate.Patient education: acute sinusitis (sinus infection).
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).UpToDate.Patient education: acute sinusitis (sinus infection).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).UpToDate.Patient education: acute sinusitis (sinus infection).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).
UpToDate.Patient education: acute sinusitis (sinus infection).
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