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Sinus infections are a very common problem. Data from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology shows that 31 million people deal with them each year, resulting in 16 million doctor visits.
Let’s be honest: Going to the doctor while feeling poorly is unpleasant. That’s why more people are turning to telehealth appointments for suspected sinus infections.
But can telehealth diagnose sinus infections? The answer is yes! Keep reading to find out how you can seek treatment for your sinus infection while staying in the comfort of your home.
There are four common types of sinus infections. Treatments vary slightly depending on the source, so it’s important to see a doctor before starting is important.
A viral sinus infection is the most common type you’ll experience. It often feels like a cold with the typical symptoms of a stuffy nose, coughing, fatigue, and postnasal drip. Compared to cold symptoms, you will notice more pressure in the sinus regions, mucus buildup, and dripping.
Viral sinus infections tend to last around a week and can be treated with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicine.
The other common form of a sinus infection is bacterial. A bacterial sinus infection can evolve from a viral one or when established allergies get worse. Both situations weaken the immune system and cause swelling in the sinus areas.
The main difference between a viral and bacterial sinus infection is the color of the mucus. A viral infection creates clear mucus, while a bacterial one creates more green or yellow mucus. You may also feel more pressure in your sinus cavities compared to a viral infection.
A bacterial infection can last anywhere between 5 and 10 days and typically requires antibiotics.
A chronic bacterial infection is when an acute infection gets worse, usually due to lack of treatment. You may also develop this type of infection if you have a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or narrow sinus tracts. You may experience fevers, coughs, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and a sore throat.
Besides standard infection interventions, treatment for this type of sinus infection may require seeking a health professional in person, not over telehealth. They may suggest a non-surgical balloon sinuplasty, which opens up the nasal passages for improved mucus drainage. It’s a minor procedure that typically requires around 48 hours of rest before returning to normal activities.
A fungal sinus infection is an allergic reaction to mold spores. This reaction creates swelling and polyps, which block your nasal passages and add pressure and pain. Blocked or swollen nasal passages make it difficult for mucus to leave the nose. If the mucus can’t exit, the resulting symptoms begin to mimic a sinus infection.
When this allergic reaction is at the point of feeling like a sinus infection, it can mean there is a buildup of fungal spores within the nasal polyps. A bacterial infection may be present as well.
Common symptoms include congestion, difficulty sleeping, and pressure and pain in the face. This type of infection requires antibiotics and possibly a steroid treatment. It may also require balloon sinuplasty to remove the fungal polyps, and irrigation with an antifungal wash.
Here are the three main benefits of using telehealth for a sinus appointment.
A sinus infection is highly uncomfortable, and using telemedicine lets you stay comfortable. You can meet a doctor in your pajamas and bed. There’s no need to get into a car and deal with traffic or sit in a waiting room with other sick patients.
Instead, you just click a link, log in, and settle back against your pillows. And once you’re done, you can lie down and go back to sleep.
When you don’t feel good, you want answers fast, and telehealth can provide those answers. Within one appointment, a doctor can determine whether you have a sinus infection, diagnose the type of infection, and offer treatment. They can tell you whether you need rest or prescribe medication to relieve your symptoms and treat the condition.
Telemedicine is easily accessible—all you need is a phone or computer. It’s easy to fit an appointment into your schedule, whether it’s during your workday or between classes.
Here’s how you can make the most out of your telehealth appointment for a sinus infection.
Having a quiet space is crucial for all telehealth appointments. You need to be able to hear the doctor and vice versa. If you have too many sounds and distractions, you may not say or listen to what you need to know for proper treatment.
Once you’ve settled in, double-check your device's battery power and Wi-Fi connection. You want to make sure both will last long enough for the appointment. The last thing you want to worry about is cutting the appointment short because you lost the connection.
Help your telehealth appointment go more smoothly by preparing a list of your symptoms, any medications you take, and any allergies. This information is especially crucial if you haven’t seen this doctor before.
The list of symptoms will tell the doctor whether you have a sinus infection and the type. The list of medications is helpful because the doctor wants to ensure that the antibiotic they prescribe won’t interact poorly with anything else you take. They need to know your allergies to ensure that treatment doesn’t accidentally make your situation worse.
Once you start talking, it’s easy to forget the questions you had for your doctor. Before your appointment, write down any questions so you can refer to them before the session concludes.
Yes, there are antibiotics you can take for a sinus infection. However, most sinus infections are viral, and antibiotics don’t help at all. A viral sinus infection will typically resolve on its own with rest, fluids, and other supportive care.
The most commonly prescribed antibiotic for a bacterial sinus infection is amoxicillin. Other options include amoxicillin-clavulanate, doxycycline, clarithromycin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The correct course of treatment depends on your symptoms and whether you have any allergies or resistance to specific antibiotic classes.
Seeing a doctor is essential when you think you have a sinus infection. A doctor can assess whether you have an infection and what type, as well as determine whether you need antibiotics. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them can increase resistance, making them less effective against infections in the future, so always make sure to talk to a doctor first.
Now that you know that telehealth can diagnose a sinus infection, you can seek the care you need from the comfort of your home. A provider with The CareMD can prescribe antibiotics to resolve a bacterial infection if necessary.
Get care from compassionate medical professionals with The CareMD. We’ll provide answers and offer treatment that helps you start feeling better soon.
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