What Sinus Infection Signs to Look For When You’re Sick
Sinus infection signs can appear like other types of illness, sometimes making it tough to diagnose by yourself. Many folks know doctors will prescribe at-home treatment, leading them to avoid going to the doctor at all if they suspect a sinus infection. Sometimes, seeing a doctor is needed to treat a sinus infection. SmartDocMD is here to provide affordable, convenient treatment for sinus infections from the comfort of your home.
Stay at Home with SmartDocMD
When you are suffering from a runny nose, pain and pressure, and other uncomfortable symptoms, the last thing you want to do is leave the comfort of your couch. With SmartDocMD, you don’t have to. SmartDocMD specializes in treating non-emergency medical conditions that can be safely assessed and treated without an in-office visit with a doctor. Our board-certified doctors work with our proprietary software tools and have harnessed the power of online networks, bringing you smart, quality virtual healthcare.
About SmartDocMD
SmartDocMD originated as an idea between one doctor and one patient – provide convenient, quality healthcare for basic medical problems without the waiting room. The idea that all health care problems must be treated by seeing a doctor in person is simply outdated. Before the internet and its modern advancements, a brick-and-mortar doctor’s office was the only option. But it doesn’t have to be this way with the modern advancements of technology.
With SmartDocMD, you will receive a free individual health screening for the basic health problem that you are experiencing. If you wish to use the guidelines provided, simply pay the affordable $30 fee. With this, you will get prescriptions, medication recommendations, lifestyle and diet changes, expected recovery, prevention, and a note excusing you from school or work.
The Future of Telemedicine
Fortunately, certain ear nose and throat health problems can be treated safely with telemedicine. SmartDocMD recognizes that many health problems must be treated in-office by a doctor in person. Certain basic health problems can not only be diagnosed via telemedicine, but can be treated more effectively by an online doctor. Why is this the case?
SmartDocMD provides proven, evidence-based medicine. Unfortunately, up to 50% of traditional medical care does not follow clinical guidelines. This causes a variety of problems, but one of the most serious is the overprescription of antibiotics. The CDC has found that 20-50% of prescriptions are unnecessary.
Antibiotics can have serious consequences when prescribed and used when not needed. The CDC has well-documented the harm that can happen to children and adults when antibiotic prescriptions are prescribed when not needed. The immune system can develop resistance to antibiotics, making future infectious disease much harder to treat.
When using SmartDocMD, you can be sure that you will be treated with evidence-based medicine. Our doctors follow strict treatment practices, and our SmartDocAl system helps us adhere to clinical guidelines.
What SmartDocMD Treats
SmartDocMD treats basic health problems that can be safely assessed and treated online. Adults 18 and older can be treated for sinus infections, the common cold, upper respiratory infections, cough, urinary tract infections (UTI), eye infection, “pink eye,” conjunctivitis, eye allergies, and yeast infection.
A common cold may seem like a sinus infection, which is why many people seek a doctor’s diagnosis. A common cold presents with cough, nasal drainage, and post nasal drip. Often, the only solution for a common cold is fluids, rest, and over-the-counter symptom relief. Common colds can be highly contagious, meaning it’s best to stay at home if possible.
Urinary tract infections and yeast infections can cause substantial irritation. Staying at home on the couch can provide the most relief, and with SmartDocMD, you can. SmartDocMD will provide prescriptions to help clear up these types of infections. If you are experiencing burning with urination, frequent urination, or foul-smelling urine, seek treatment for urinary tract infection. If you are experiencing vaginal itching and discharge, seek treatment for a yeast infection.
Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye” can be highly contagious. If you believe you may have pink eye, you are highly recommended to stay at home. Pink eye is when the transparent membrane of the eyelid becomes inflamed and/or infected. When small blood vessels in the eyes are inflamed, they can appear pink. Symptoms for pink eye include red and itchy eyes, a gritty feeling in the eyes, discharge that forms a crust overnight, and tearing. SmartDocMD will provide guidance on symptom relief, and prescribe antibiotic eye drops if deemed necessary.
This reflects one of the many benefits of SmartDocMD and telemedicine. When faced with a contagious basic health problem, you are able to stay at home and not spread germs to others. This helps protect those with weaker immune systems and keeps illness out of school and the workplace.
Eye-related symptoms may appear similar to pink eye, but can actually be eye allergies. Allergies that cause eye symptoms can be treated with symptom relief and prescription eye drops, which SmartDocMD will provide if deemed necessary. Eye allergies don’t always require a face-to-face visit with a doctor, which is why SmartDocMD is here to help.
Signs of a Sinus Infection
Sinusitis symptoms can present differently for a variety of reasons. Depending on what types of infection you have, symptoms can range from manageable to painful enough to keep you at home. SmartDocMD is able to treat a variety of sinus infection symptoms and types, all from the comfort of your couch.
Symptoms of a sinus infection can include postnasal drip, facial pain and/or pressure, headache, stuffy or runny nose, weakened or loss of sense of smell, sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue, and bad breath.
Sinusitis can be bacterial or viral. If your sinusitis is viral, then it can be spread to others. It is recommended that you stay at home until a doctor can confirm if you are contagious. With SmartDocMD, you can receive symptom relief advice and prescriptions if needed.
You should seek medical care as soon as possible if you develop a fever higher than 100.4 DEGREES, have symptoms that become worse or persist beyond 10 days, have multiple sinus infections per year, or have sinus infections that are not relieved with over-the-counter medicines.
How SmartDocMD Works
SmartDocMD is all about providing convenient, effective medical care. How does it work?
First, you will choose from one of five different types of basic medical problems. Next, you will use our SmartDocAl that will guide you through an online patient interview (OPI). Here you will tell us what is wrong and provide a medical history – just like at a doctor’s office.
Next, you will receive an individual health screening and triage based on your OPI. You will be able to view suggestions for finding treatment and will be alerted of more serious conditions, all for free.
If you wish to do something with this information, simply pay the affordable $30 visit fee and receive a personalized care plan immediately, including prescriptions as necessary. This allows you to skip the waiting room and save time and money.
You will love what we do with part of this fee. SmartDocMD partners with free health clinics to help offer services and medications to communities in need. For every visit, we will donate to help this mission.
Types of Sinusitis
Sinusitis varies in causes, as it does symptoms. Most sinus infections are caused by a virus. They are less commonly caused by bacteria. Other causes of sinusitis include allergies, pollutants, and fungal infections. SmartDocMD can help figure out what is causing your sinus infection, and provide a recommendation to seek a specialist if needed.
Chronic sinus infections are when sinusitis symptoms persist for 10 to 12 weeks. Nasal polyps, which are benign, can occur in instances like this. A doctor may provide a prescription nasal spray. For certain cases of chronic sinusitis, sinus surgery may be required to modify the nasal passages to decrease the risk of infection.
Treatments for a Sinus Infection
Sinus infections can either be treated with time, rest, and fluids or with medication. If you have a bacterial sinus infection, SmartDocMD may prescribe an antibiotic nasal spray. If you have a viral sinus infection, we will provide guidelines and recommendations for symptom relief.
There are many home remedies for painful, inflamed sinuses. One of the more popular solutions for sinus infection is to use a warm or cool mist humidifier. This allows moisture to be introduced to the nasal passages, often clearing up a stuffy nose.
A neti pot can provide soothing relief to an irritated sinus cavity. A neti pot container will rinse debris and mucus from your nasal cavity. A saltwater solution will help keep the nasal cavity clean and hopefully, pain-free.
Bad breath may also be a symptom of a sinus infection. Unfortunately, this symptom will usually last until your sinus infection goes away. You can relieve this symptom temporarily by maintaining good oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth regularly and using mouthwash.
SmartDocMD: Here to Help
If it is painful to breathe through your nose, or if you are experiencing any of the many symptoms of a sinus infection, seek affordable online medical care. SmartDocMD is here to help you through your basic healthcare needs. Start your care today, and discover the future of medicine.