Mehiläinen Töölö · Helsinki
Assessment of sinus symptoms
A lingering cold or facial pain? I assess whether symptom relief is enough or whether antibiotics or further tests are needed.
Care route
Where should I seek care?
This is not an emergency department. At the appointment the aim is to examine the situation and decide the next sensible step: self-care, medication, a minor procedure, tests or referral.
Book an appointment
- symptoms have lasted about 10 days without clear improvement
- symptoms worsen again after initially improving
- pain or pressure is clearly one-sided, especially with cheek or tooth pain
- fever, purulent discharge or feeling generally unwell can make bacterial disease more likely
Seek urgent assessment
- there is swelling around the eye or forehead, visual change, double vision or severe headache
- there is neck stiffness, confusion, high fever or rapidly worsening general condition
- the pain or fever worsens quickly and does not feel like an ordinary upper respiratory infection
Call 116117 if you are unsure where to go or cannot get timely care. Do not wait for an appointment if your condition worsens.
Call 112
For severe breathing difficulty, unconsciousness, new stroke symptoms or another life-threatening situation.
Antibiotics
When do antibiotics usually not help?
- symptoms have lasted only a few days and fit an ordinary cold
- the main problem is congestion, pressure or mucus without other evidence of bacterial disease
- symptoms are already improving
- the likely cause is viral infection, allergic rhinitis or irritation-related rhinitis
During the visit
What is assessed during the appointment?
The visit focuses on duration, severity, one-sided symptoms, overall condition, fever, clinical findings and whether tests or further assessment are needed. Often the best treatment is symptomatic care and clear safety-netting.
After the visit
Your treatment and follow-up
Contact Mehiläinen Töölö if your care instructions are unclear.
Sources
What this page is based on
Website content: Markus Huotari, general practitioner. The sources below provide background information.