What to Expect from Your First Telemedicine Visit for Sinus Problems

Your nose is stuffed up and you can’t breathe well. You have a runny nose and other cold-type symptoms. If it’s a sinus infection, do you need an antibiotic? 

Dr. Nilesh Patel, board-certified otolaryngologist, treats many patients with sinus problems. If it’s too difficult for you to come into the office for an appointment, we offer convenient telemedicine appointments to treat your sinus issues. Some health issues require an in-person appointment. But many sinus issues can be handled with a video visit.  

What is a sinus infection?

You have a sinus infection when the tissue in your nasal passages and sinuses are inflamed and swollen. Sinuses extend into your forehead, between your eyes, and behind your cheeks. They produce mucus that keeps your nose from drying out, which in turn guards against allergens and pollutants in the environment. 

When your sinuses are inflamed, the passage is blocked and your normal nasal fluid can’t drain properly. Fluid becomes trapped and clogs your sinus passages. In that warm, moist environment, viruses and bacteria thrive, so an infection can develop. 

What happens during a telemedicine visit for sinus problems?

Our office offers telemedicine appointments for some sinus problems. Telemedicine offers several obvious benefits. You don’t have to fight traffic and the weather when you’re not feeling well. You don’t have to sit in a waiting room with other sick people. You can concentrate on just getting well while resting at home. 

Before your telemedicine appointment, we send you forms to complete. We need a thorough medical history so that we are aware of any factors, such as allergies or asthma, that have a bearing on your sinus problems. You’ll need to give your permission for a video visit.  

We send you a link to open a few minutes prior to your appointment with Dr. Patel. During the visit, Dr. Patel reviews your medical history and asks you specific questions that help him determine if you have a sinus infection. Based on your own history and your responses, he determines what course of action is needed. 

Following are common symptoms of a sinus infection: 

• Runny nose
• Closed or partially closed nasal passages 
• Pain or pressure around the front of your head, including your forehead, nose, eyes, upper jaws and teeth
• Headache
• Post-nasal drip with mucus draining down your throat
• Green nasal discharge 
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever 

If you don’t have a fever or have a low-grade fever, your sinus infection is very likely a viral infection. An antibiotic doesn’t help if your infection is caused by a virus. 

If you have signs of a bacterial infection, Dr. Patel prescribes an antibiotic. Signs of a bacterial infection include the following:

• A high fever of over 100 degrees occurring more than three or four days
• Severe pain which may be only on one side of your nose
• Discolored nasal discharge 
• Symptoms that are worse after temporarily improving

If you have frequent sinus infections, have chronic post-nasal drip, and/or suffer often from sinus headaches, and other treatments such as nasal sprays, drops, and antibiotics haven’t worked, Dr. Patel may suggest a minor minimally invasive technique called a balloon sinuplasty that expands your sinuses so you can breathe easily again. 

Call Dr. Nilesh Patel today or request a same-day appointment through our online portal for expert ear, nose, and throat care.