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This guidance covers sinusitis of less than 3 months duration. Usually follows viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
Sinusitis of more than 3 months duration – see guideline: Chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyps
Symptoms include:
If patient presents with persistent bloody discharge or progressive unilateral symptoms a 2ww referral should be made.
If suspicion of orbital or intracranial complications same day urgent referral to ENT.
Patients with a swollen red eye and acute sinusitis maybe suffering from orbital infection
should be admitted immediately.
Plain sinus x ray not indicated.
Realistic expectation of symptom duration: 14-21 days is normal for acute sinusitis
Initial management supportive:
Persistent (more than 5 days) or severely or rapidly deteriorating symptoms:
In addition to above
Non resolutions in 14 days consider:
e-Referrals Service Selection
EPOS primary care guidelines Thomas et.al 2008
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.
Publication date: November 2017
Reviewed: April 2024