Sinusitis Treatment | Sinus Infection Relief | ENT Experts

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis (also known as sinus infection or rhinosinusitis) is an infection of the sinuses. It happens most often after a cold or an allergy-flare up.

The sinuses are air-filled pockets (cavities) near the nose passage. The sinuses make mucus. This fluid cleans the bacteria and other particles from the air you breathe.

What Are the Symptoms of a Sinus Infection?

The most common symptoms of sinusitis are:

Runny nose (lasting longer than 7-10 days)
Drip from the nose in the throat (postnasal drip)
Headaches
Facial pain
Bad breath
Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Swelling around the eyes

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UR Medicine's Treatments for Sinusitis

Your provider will diagnose sinusitis by asking about your symptoms and doing a physical exam. They may also perform tests such as:

A culture (swab) of the mucus in your nose
Sinus x-rays
A CT scan of your sinuses
A blood test

How Is Sinusitis Treated?

Treatment depends on your symptoms, age, overall health, and how serious your sinusitis is. If you have chronic or recurring sinus infections, we may refer you to a UR Medicine allergist or immunologist for more care. It’s important to know that decongestants and antihistamines do not relieve sinusitis symptoms.

Sinusitis treatments may include:

Pain relievers
Nose drops
Sinus rinses
Antibiotics (if you have serious symptoms like fever, swelling, or pain and tenderness)
Steroids

If medications don’t help your chronic sinusitis, sinus surgery might be an option. This surgery widens the openings that drain your sinuses, helping them work better and lowering your chance of future infections.

What Sets Us Apart?

Patients at UR Medicine’s Department of Otolaryngology have access to a wide network of specialists across different fields. Our rhinologists—doctors who treat the nose and sinuses—see more complex and uncommon cases than most providers in our region.

Our modern clinic has four exam rooms with high-definition monitors. These rooms also work as procedure suites, where we can perform surgeries right in the office. We use video technology to show patients what’s happening inside their nose or sinuses, helping them better understand their condition.

Our ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors are trained to treat a wide range of problems, both with and without surgery. This includes conditions affecting the head and neck. Our team performs hundreds of procedures and surgeries each year, so you’ll receive care from highly experienced providers.

Many of our doctors also take part in research to discover better treatments for ENT-related conditions. Every physician is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, ensuring you receive trusted, expert care.