Seeking Advice on Prolonged Sinus Infection
Hello everyone, I’m a 28-year-old female experiencing my very first sinus infection, and it hasn’t been pleasant. It all began on Monday, January 12th, when I noticed some sensitivity in my teeth and assumed I might have to consult a dentist due to a feeling of pressure in my jaw. By that Friday, January 16th, I started experiencing intermittent ear congestion. I finally managed to secure an appointment with my physician on Tuesday, January 20th. Upon examination, he observed significant green mucus and congestion in my right ear. I was prescribed a 10-day course of amoxicillin along with three days of prednisone, while also taking pseudoephedrine regularly. Fast forward to early February, and I’m still grappling with pressure and pain in my sinuses and ears. However, I have noticed some improvement after taking an expectorant, which has been effective in clearing out a lot of thick mucus, as well as performing saline rinses. Despite this, I still experience daily discomfort. Summary: Should I seek further medical attention, or is it likely that this will resolve on its own?
Answers (1)
2/5/2026, 2:20:33 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a challenging situation regarding your sinus infection, especially since you've been experiencing discomfort for an extended period. While some sinus infections can resolve on their own, your persistent symptoms after treatment with antibiotics and prednisone suggest that further evaluation may be necessary.
Key Points:
- You’ve been on antibiotics and corticosteroids for your sinus infection, yet are still experiencing significant pressure and pain.
- Improvements you've noticed with expectorants and saline rinses are positive, but ongoing discomfort indicates that more help may be needed.
Explanation:
Sinus infections (sinusitis) can sometimes linger, especially if there are underlying factors like allergies, anatomical variations, or viral components involved. Since you've been on treatment and still have daily discomfort, assessing the situation further can help rule out complications, such as chronic sinusitis or other issues.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, noting when they worsen or if new symptoms develop (like fever or severe pain). This information will be helpful for your doctor.
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Continue Saline Rinses: Keep using saline nasal rinses. They are safe and can help moisten nasal passages and clear out mucus.
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Evaluate Pain Relief Options: Consider over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage your pain if you haven’t already done this.
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Seek Further Medical Attention: Given that your symptoms have persisted beyond the initial treatment, it would be wise to follow up with your physician. They might consider additional treatments such as:
- Referral to an ENT Specialist: For a more thorough evaluation if your symptoms are due to structural issues or chronic sinusitis.
- Imaging Tests: Like a CT scan to look for underlying issues that might be contributing to your symptoms.
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Allergy Assessment: If you suspect allergies may be contributing, consider discussing an allergy evaluation with your doctor.
While it can be frustrating to still feel uncomfortable, seeking further medical insight is a proactive way to find relief. You're doing a great job managing your symptoms, and pursuing additional help can lead you to a better outcome. Feel free to share any updates or further concerns!
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