Sinus Infection Treatment in Charlotte

At OneSpotMD’s Steele Creek and Plaza Midwood clinics, 7 days a week: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm. Walk in, or book ahead to plan your visit. Wait times vary.

Yes. We assess and treat many uncomplicated sinus infections. A provider examines you and recommends appropriate treatment or follow-up. Severe complications may need emergency care or specialist evaluation.

No. You can walk in at either clinic or book ahead with Save my spot. Wait times vary.

Your insurance share depends on your plan and services received. With most NC Medicaid plans, covered-visit copays are usually $0 or $4; confirm coverage and cost with your plan. Self-pay visits start at $140, plus tests and treatments.

Yes. We are in network with most NC Medicaid plans. Check our insurance page and confirm your specific plan and coverage.

Not always. Most sinus infections are viral, and antibiotics do not help viruses. For uncomplicated cases, the provider may recommend watchful waiting with reliable follow-up, or antibiotics when appropriate. Seek reassessment if symptoms worsen or fail to improve.

A bacterial cause is more likely with symptoms lasting more than 10 days without improvement, worsening after initial improvement, or severe symptoms such as fever of at least 102°F with facial pain or purulent nasal discharge for 3-4 days. Mucus color alone cannot tell you. A clinician considers the full history and exam.

For many adults who need antibiotics, amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate is a first-line option. The choice depends on age, allergies, pregnancy, recent antibiotics and other health factors. Azithromycin is generally not recommended for empiric sinus infection treatment because of resistance.

A Z-Pak (azithromycin) is generally not recommended for empiric treatment of bacterial sinusitis because common bacteria are often resistant. Your provider chooses an appropriate treatment based on your examination, allergies and medical history; antibiotics may not be needed.

Steroid injections are not routine treatment for uncomplicated acute sinusitis and can cause side effects. The provider can discuss safer symptom-relief options and whether a separate medical condition warrants a systemic steroid.

Prednisone is a systemic steroid and is not routinely recommended for uncomplicated acute sinusitis. Steroid nasal sprays are different and may help selected patients. Your provider weighs benefits and risks based on your condition.

Most viral sinus infections get better in 7-10 days. A bacterial infection can last longer without treatment. Symptoms that last 12 weeks or more are called chronic sinusitis.

The sinus infection itself isn’t contagious, but the cold or flu virus that often causes it can spread to others. Wash your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.

Allergies usually cause itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and clear mucus without a fever. A sinus infection usually brings face pressure or pain and thick yellow or green mucus, sometimes with a fever. They can look alike, so an exam helps. Yellow or green mucus alone does not mean you need antibiotics.

Yes. Allergies can swell your sinuses and trap mucus, which can lead to an infection.

Yes. The sinuses sit just above your upper teeth, so pressure there can feel like a toothache. Tooth pain can also come from a dental problem; persistent or localized pain should be evaluated.

Yes. Swelling in your sinuses and nose can block the tubes that drain your ears, causing ear pressure or pain. It can also lead to an ear infection.

Yes. Sinus headaches usually cause pressure in your forehead, cheeks or around your eyes, and often feel worse when you bend over. Migraine and other conditions can feel similar. A sudden severe headache or headache with vision changes, confusion or a stiff neck needs emergency assessment.

Saline rinses using safe water, a warm washcloth, a clean humidifier and raising your head when resting may help. Avoid hot steam burns. Ask about suitable pain medicine or a nasal spray. Severe or persistent pressure needs evaluation; steroid shots are not routine sinusitis treatment.

Yes, if you use distilled, sterile or boiled-then-cooled water. Never use water straight from the tap, and clean the bottle or pot after each use.

They can for a few days. Don’t use them for more than 3 days in a row, or your congestion can come back worse.

If your symptoms last more than 10 days, get better and then worse again, come with a fever, or you get sinus infections often.

Seek emergency care for swelling or redness around the eyes, vision changes, severe headache with a stiff neck, or forehead swelling. Call 911 for confusion, difficulty staying awake, other life-threatening symptoms or if you cannot travel safely.

Most clear up without problems. Rarely, an infection can become chronic, spread to the area around the eye, or spread to the bone or brain. Ear infections and asthma flare-ups can also happen.

Come in so the provider can look for the cause, like allergies. If you get sinus infections often or have a complication, we can refer you to an ENT specialist for more testing.

Not everyone needs an ENT. A referral may help with repeated infections, symptoms lasting 12 weeks or longer, symptoms that do not improve, or suspected complications. Severe warning signs need emergency care rather than waiting for a referral.

Yes, when appropriate based on symptoms and risk. Rapid results are often ready in about 10-15 minutes, but timing varies; negative tests may require follow-up.

Yes. Children may develop sinus infections after a cold. A runny nose or daytime cough lasting more than 10 days without improvement, worsening after improvement, or significant fever warrants assessment. Eye or face swelling needs prompt medical evaluation.

Yes. The provider can write a note for work or school at your visit, based on your illness.

Yes. Both clinics are open Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

You pay your plan’s copay at the visit. Deductible or coinsurance costs depend on your plan and services, and you may receive a bill after insurance processes the claim. Copays for covered visits with most NC Medicaid plans are usually $0 or $4; confirm with your plan. Self-pay visits start at $140, plus tests and treatments.

Yes. Some staff speak Spanish, and language assistance is available. Please tell us your preferred language when you contact the clinic. Sí, avísenos si prefiere recibir atención en español.