Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is generally a self-limiting condition that has an average duration of 2-3 weeks.
The majority of cases are viral in nature,¹⁷with only 2% of acute sinusitis cases complicated by a bacterial infection.
In suspected cases of acute sinusitis, exclude a dental cause of symptoms in the first instance.
Advise the patient that antibiotic treatment is not usually required. Provide advice on the likely duration of the condition and self-management of pain or fever using paracetamol or ibuprofen. Refer the patient to NHS Inform for self-management advice.
If the patient is systemically unwell, or has symptoms and signs of a more serious illness or condition, or for patients with a high risk of complications (e.g. immunocompromised status) refer to a medical professional for urgent assessment.¹⁰
Advise the patient to seek medical advice if symptoms worsen rapidly or significantly, change or do not improve after 3 weeks.¹⁷
Patients presenting with severe symptoms of acute sinusitis (e.g. facial swelling or periorbital oedema) associated with a severe systemic infection should be referred to hospital.

See the Bacterial infections management guide for a summary of the management of various dental conditions associated with bacterial infections