Your sinuses are the canals behind your face that serve as the connecting airway between your lungs, nose, and mouth. Your sinuses naturally produce mucus to help keep the skin in these airways moist and healthy. Mucus is also produced by your sinuses to help trap and flush debris away from your lungs. In the case of an infection, your sinuses can sometimes produce too much mucus and cause a buildup of mucus in your sinuses which can lead to a sinus infection. Keep reading to learn more about sinus infections, their symptoms, and whether they require medical care.
If you’re feeling sick, AFC Urgent Care Linden offers same-day urgent illness care services for patients in Linden, Rahway, Winfield, Roselle & Clark, NJ. Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to identify and treat a variety of common illnesses, including sinus infections. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you.
What are the Symptoms of a Sinus Infection?
Being sick is no fun. Sinus infections can come on quickly. The telltale sign that you may be developing a sinus infection is feeling like your illness is getting worse over time, instead of getting better. Your sinuses are closely interconnected with your ears, which can sometimes cause sinus infections to cause ear pain.
Common signs you have a sinus infection include:
- Facial pain
- Severe congestion
- Headaches
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Ear pain
Can a Cold Cause a Sinus Infection?
Sinus infections often appear following an initial illness, like a cold. The congestion caused by the primary infection can cause your sinuses to become backed up with mucus. Trapped mucus is a breeding ground for bacteria, which is why a sinus infection occurs. In most cases, mild illnesses resolve on their own within a week. If your symptoms linger longer than a week or continue to worsen over time, it could be a sign that you have a sinus infection.
Certain people can be more prone to developing sinus infections. If you have a deviated septum or have a history of getting sinus infections in the past, you may be more susceptible to developing a sinus infection. Sinus infections can also affect allergy sufferers and reoccur during allergy season.
Should You Visit Urgent Care for Sinus Infection Treatment?
If you’re illness symptoms are continuously getting worse over time, it is important to seek medical treatment. Secondary infections such as sinus infections can cause severe illness, even for healthy adults. In some cases, sinus infections can resolve on their own. However, the use of antibiotics can help ensure that you’re not spreading your illness to others and promote a faster recovery. If left untreated, sinus infection symptoms can last for weeks and in some cases over a month. Seeking early diagnosis and treatment at urgent care is a quick and easy way to avoid suffering from sinus infection symptoms for longer than necessary.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Linden for Same-Day Sinus Infection Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of a sinus infection, seeking early medical care can help you avoid experiencing severe symptoms. At AFC Urgent Care Linden, our clinic has a lab on-site, allowing us to provide a fast and accurate diagnosis of your symptoms. Our dedicated medical staff is available 7 days a week for rapid sinus infection care on a walk-in basis. Our clinic accepts most major medical insurance plans and offers affordable care. Walk into the clinic today.