Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for sinusitis. The sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face. They have a thin lining that normally makes a small amount of mucus. When you have sinusitis, the lining gets swollen and makes extra mucus.
You might have sinusitis with or after a cold. Sinusitis usually gets better on its own in 1 to 2 weeks.
Sinusitis is most often caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not help. But some people do need antibiotics. If you got them, follow the instructions. It is important to take all the antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Try to thin the mucus:
•Drink lots of liquids to stay hydrated.
•Use a cool mist humidifier to avoid dry air.
•Use saline nose drops or a saline nose rinse to ease stuffiness.
●Wash your hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infection.
●Do not smoke or be in smoke-filled places. Avoid things that can cause breathing problems like fumes, pollution, dust, and other common allergens and irritants.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain if needed, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if you have:
•A stiff neck, especially if you also have fever, chills, vomiting, or severe headache
•Trouble thinking clearly
•Trouble seeing, or seeing double
•Swelling, redness, or pain around 1 or both eyes
•A fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher, or shaking chills or sweats
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have nausea or vomiting.
●You get worse pain in your face and head.
●You have trouble moving your eye normally, or pain when moving your eye.
●You are not getting better in 1 to 2 weeks.
●Your symptoms got better, but then got worse.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Sinusitis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic sinusitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough, runny nose, and colds (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute sinusitis (sinus infection) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chronic rhinosinusitis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: The common cold in adults (Beyond the Basics)
