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Suggest Treatment For Viral Sinusitis
Question: Am I still suffering from viral sinusitis? I caught a cold three weeks ago. It seemed to go into my sinuses after about five or six days. Saw an ENT last week who said everything was very congested, but it's viral, no need for antibiotics, and gave me a decongestant + decongestant nasal spray to use for 3 days. I did that and it opened things up slightly but I still have sinus pain, pressure, headache, fatigue. Could the virus still be lurking around? I do have allergies but the doctor asked me to stop taking my antihistamine and flixonase steroid nasal spray for 1 week.
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. At more than 3 weeks into the symptoms, you are by definition in the 'acute post-viral rhinosinusitis' phase.
2. Any common cold or viral infection is expected to resolve in 5 to 10 days.
3. It is time to step up the medication and start an antibiotic after a nasal swab and if possible a nasal endoscopy.
4. Acute bacterial rhinisinusitis presents with mucoprurulent nasal discharge, fever and increase in the sinus pain, pressure and headache. Even though you still have a clear watery nasal discharge, this bacterial superinfection is a possibility now.
5. Anti-allergic treatment must continue. The nasal steroid spray must be stopped in the acute infection stage.
6. In short, you must request your ENT Specialist to have a re-look and treat the symptoms more aggressively.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. At more than 3 weeks into the symptoms, you are by definition in the 'acute post-viral rhinosinusitis' phase.
2. Any common cold or viral infection is expected to resolve in 5 to 10 days.
3. It is time to step up the medication and start an antibiotic after a nasal swab and if possible a nasal endoscopy.
4. Acute bacterial rhinisinusitis presents with mucoprurulent nasal discharge, fever and increase in the sinus pain, pressure and headache. Even though you still have a clear watery nasal discharge, this bacterial superinfection is a possibility now.
5. Anti-allergic treatment must continue. The nasal steroid spray must be stopped in the acute infection stage.
6. In short, you must request your ENT Specialist to have a re-look and treat the symptoms more aggressively.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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