Sinus Infections
What Is A Sinus Infection?
A Sinus Infection (also known as Sinusitis) is inflammation of the sinuses – hollow spaces in the bones behind the face. It may be associated with both bacterial and viral infections, but it may be due to non-infectious inflammation (e.g., allergies) in the sinuses as well. Sinusitis can be acute, lasting less than 4 weeks, or chronic, lasting 12 weeks or more. Acute sinusitis is very common, affecting about 1 in 8 people each year.
Sinusitis has symptoms very different from a cold or the flu.The main symptoms are face pain, pressure, and fullness, congestion, nasal discharge and a headache. The location of the pain depends on which sinus or sinuses are affected. Other symptoms include headache, bad breath, fatigue, and cough (especially at night). Yellow or green pus may drain out of the nose, and there may be an unpleasant smell. Someone with sinusitis may feel generally unwell and while not common, can also have a low-grade fever (less than 38°C).
Learn more about sinus infections including advice for easing symptoms.
How Can My Pharmacist Help?
Most cases of sinusitis are caused by a virus, so your pharmacist or doctor can help you navigate all the at-home or over-the-counter treatment options like oral (e.g., pseudoephedrine) or topical (e.g., oxymetazoline) decongestants, saline nasal sprays or rinses, and pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help relieve symptoms. Antibiotics may be prescribed if your symptoms are severe or last for more than 10 days without improvement from over the counter treatments.
Find your local Pharmasave and talk to your Pharmasave pharmacist about your symptoms and which treatment might be right for you.
What If I Need A Prescription?
After an assessment of the type, duration and severity of your symptoms your Pharmasave pharmacist can write a prescription for treatment instead of an over-the-counter medication or at-home treatment if deemed necessary.
To learn more about how your pharmacist can help, visit your local Pharmasave store and speak with your Pharmasave pharmacist.
The common ailments a pharmacist can prescribe for varies by province*. For more details, view the Canadian Pharmacists Association’s chart: Common Ailments Prescribing in Canada
*Note that common ailments prescribing is not always covered by provincial health care – a pharmacy fee may apply. Speak with your pharmacist about eligibility.
