During the early fall months illnesses tend to begin spreading. The change in temperature, back to school season and cold and flu season all bring out a variety of illnesses. This increase in seasonal illnesses makes the fall a time of the year where you are more likely to get sick compared to other months. Learn about sinus infections, including what causes them and when to seek medical treatment at urgent care so you can stay healthy this fall.
Sinus Infection Causes & Symptoms
Sinusitis, also referred to as a sinus infection, is caused due to the swelling of tissue in your sinuses. Your sinuses are the paths in your head that connect your nose, mouth and throat. They circulate mucuses to protect your body from infections. The mucus traps irritants like dust and other pollutants. It redirects these irritants by trapping them and guiding them into your stomach rather than your lungs.
Sinus infections occur when fluids fill up your sinuses and create an infection. This most commonly occurs due to the presence of a virus, but bacteria and fungi can also cause sinus infections. This swelling blocks your sinuses, causing some unpleasant symptoms including the following:
- Congestion
- Headaches
- Cough
- Fever
- Discolored discharge
- Face soreness around nose and eyes
- Decrease in sense of smell
Does a Sinus Infection Require Medical Care at Urgent Care?
Sinus infection symptoms can last several weeks, but usually resolve after 4 weeks. Due to the unpleasant nature of the symptoms, seeking medical care at urgent care may be a good option so that a medical professional can perform tests to see what kind of infection you have. If you have a sinus infection caused by a bacteria, your medical provider can prescribe a round of antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
Sinus infection symptoms have many similarities to the symptoms of other common fall illnesses such as the flu, a cold or even seasonal allergies. Due to this, it can be hard to tell which illness you are suffering from. When in doubt, it is best to seek medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment. Urgent care centers are often equipped to diagnose and treat a wide variety of illnesses. To learn more about the illnesses treated in the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Linden, visit our services page on our website.
Get Sinus Infection Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Linden
If you’re concerned that you may have a sinus infection, the best option is to seek early medical care to prevent weeks of symptoms. Your medical provider will be able to provide a diagnosis and customized treatment plan to lessen the burden of symptoms caused by sinus infections. At AFC Urgent Care Linden, we have an on-site lab, making it easy and fast to get test results.
Don’t put your health on the back burner. We don’t require an appointment for treatment and have short wait times. If you’re unsure whether we can treat your symptoms, call today to speak to one of our medical professionals at (908) 275-5922. Walk-in today for sinus infection symptom relief.
