What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses — the air-filled cavities in the bones around the nose and eyes. It commonly occurs following a cold or upper respiratory infection, when the sinus linings become swollen and block normal mucus drainage. Sinusitis affects millions of Australians each year and can be acute (lasting less than 4 weeks) or chronic (lasting more than 12 weeks).
Symptoms typically include facial pain or pressure (particularly around the forehead, cheeks, or eyes), nasal congestion, thick discoloured nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headache, and sometimes fever. The condition can range from mild discomfort to significant pain that affects daily activities.
When to see a doctor about sinusitis
You should see a GP if your sinus symptoms have lasted more than 10 days without improvement, if you have severe symptoms such as high fever or intense facial pain, if your symptoms initially improved then worsened (which may suggest a secondary bacterial infection), or if you experience recurrent episodes of sinusitis.
Seek urgent medical attention if you develop swelling around the eyes, severe headache, high fever, confusion, or visual changes, as these may indicate a rare but serious complication. Your GP can also arrange an ENT specialist referral for chronic or complicated sinusitis.
How a telehealth GP can help with sinusitis
A telehealth GP can assess your sinusitis symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment without requiring an in-person visit. Your GP can determine whether your sinusitis is likely viral (which typically resolves without antibiotics) or bacterial (which may require prescription medication), based on your symptom duration and severity.
During your consultation, your GP can prescribe medication if clinically indicated, provide advice on symptom management, arrange imaging such as a CT scan if needed, issue a medical certificate if you need time off, and refer you to an ENT specialist for chronic or recurrent cases.
Treatment options for sinusitis
Most acute sinusitis is caused by viruses and resolves within two to three weeks without antibiotics. Your GP may recommend supportive measures such as saline nasal irrigation, steam inhalation, adequate hydration, and over-the-counter pain relief to manage symptoms during this time.
If your GP determines that bacterial sinusitis is likely, they may prescribe antibiotics. They may also discuss nasal corticosteroid sprays, which can help reduce inflammation and improve drainage. Your GP will advise on the appropriate duration of treatment.
For chronic sinusitis, your GP may recommend longer-term use of nasal corticosteroid sprays, saline rinses, and investigation of underlying factors such as allergies or structural abnormalities. Referral to an ENT specialist may be appropriate for cases that do not respond to medical management or if surgery is being considered.