- Swelling, redness, or pain around one or both eyes
- Changes in vision (double vision, reduced vision, or pain with eye movement)
- Severe frontal headache, neck stiffness, confusion, or high fever
- Altered mental state or severe drowsiness
Online Sinusitis & Sinus Infection Consultations with Australian GPs
Get fast medical evaluation for facial pressure, sinus headache, and nasal congestion from home. Consult an AHPRA-registered GP online for symptom management, e-Prescriptions (if clinically indicated), and medical certificates.
🩺 Viral vs. Bacterial Sinusitis Guidelines
Most acute sinus infections stem from viral colds and resolve with supportive care. Your GP will evaluate key criteria for bacterial infection before prescribing antibiotics:
- Duration: Symptoms lasting longer than 10 consecutive days without clinical improvement.
- Double Sickening: Initial improvement from a cold followed by sudden worsening with new fever, increased nasal discharge, or facial pain.
- Severity: Severe localized facial pain (especially on one side) or purulent nasal discharge with high fever.
Sinus Services & Telehealth Care
Review how online GPs assess and manage sinus conditions via telehealth.
| Condition / Presentation | Common Symptoms | Telehealth GP Management |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Viral Rhinosinusitis | Nasal congestion, clear/cloudy discharge, mild facial pressure lasting under 10 days. | Saline rinse advice, decongestant guidance, prescription steroid nasal spray eScripts. |
| Acute Bacterial Sinusitis | Thick green/yellow discharge, severe facial pressure, symptoms over 10 days or 'double sickening'. | Clinical evaluation for first-line antibiotic eScripts (e.g., Amoxicillin) if indicated. |
| Chronic / Recurrent Sinusitis | Persistent sinus congestion and facial fullness lasting more than 12 weeks. | Long-term steroid sprays, allergy management, or ENT specialist referral letters. |
| Work / Study Disruption | Inability to work or attend classes due to severe sinus headache and systemic fatigue. | Official medical certificates sent digitally as a PDF via SMS or email. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a medical certificate for time off work due to sinusitis?
Yes. If sinus headache, pressure, or congestion prevents you from fulfilling your work or university obligations, your GP can issue an official medical certificate following your video or phone consultation.
How do I receive my e-Prescription?
If prescribed, your GP will send an eScript token directly to your mobile via SMS. You can present this barcode at any pharmacy across Australia for immediate collection.
When is a specialist referral to an ENT doctor needed?
If you experience recurrent sinus infections (more than 3-4 episodes per year), persistent chronic sinusitis unresponsible to nasal sprays, or structural blockage (like nasal polyps), your GP can write an official referral to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist.
What Is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is inflammation of the tissues lining the sinuses and nasal passages.
The sinuses are air-filled spaces around the nose, cheeks, forehead and eyes. Normally, mucus drains from the sinuses into the nose. When the lining becomes swollen, mucus can become trapped, causing congestion, pressure and discomfort.
Sinusitis commonly occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection such as a cold.
Other factors that can contribute include:
- Allergies
- Hay fever
- Nasal polyps
- Irritation from smoke or other environmental factors
- Problems with normal sinus drainage
- Recurrent respiratory infections
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
Common symptoms can include:
- Blocked or stuffy nose
- Runny nose
- Thick nasal discharge
- Facial pressure or pain
- Pressure around the cheeks, forehead or eyes
- Headache
- Reduced sense of smell
- Cough, particularly at night
- Sore throat caused by post-nasal drip
- Bad breath
- Tiredness
- Fever in some cases
Symptoms can affect one or both sides of the face.
Facial pressure or pain may become more noticeable when bending forward, although this is not specific to sinusitis and your GP will consider your overall symptoms.
Is Sinusitis Viral or Bacterial?
Most acute sinusitis is associated with a viral infection, particularly following a cold.
Viral sinusitis usually improves without antibiotics.
Bacterial sinusitis can occur in some people, particularly when symptoms are persistent, severe or initially improve and then become significantly worse.
Your GP will consider factors such as:
- How long you have been unwell
- Whether symptoms are improving or worsening
- The severity of facial pain or pressure
- Fever
- The type and duration of nasal discharge
- Whether symptoms improved before becoming worse again
- Your medical history
Antibiotics are not routinely needed for uncomplicated viral sinusitis.
Can a Telehealth GP Diagnose Sinusitis?
In many cases, yes.
The diagnosis of sinusitis is often based on your symptoms and medical history.
During a NewTeleDoc Medical telehealth consultation, your GP may ask:
- When your symptoms began
- Whether you recently had a cold or flu
- Whether your symptoms are improving or worsening
- Whether you have facial pain or pressure
- Where the pain is located
- Whether you have a fever
- What your nasal discharge looks like
- Whether your sense of smell has changed
- Whether you have allergies
- Whether you have experienced sinus problems previously
- What medications you have already tried
Your GP can then determine whether your symptoms can be managed through telehealth or whether you need an in-person assessment.
When Should I See a GP About Sinusitis?
You should consider speaking with a GP if:
- Your sinus symptoms are persistent
- Symptoms are getting worse rather than improving
- Facial pain is significant
- You have a persistent fever
- Symptoms are affecting your sleep or daily activities
- You have recurrent episodes of sinusitis
- You have significant nasal blockage
- Symptoms return after initially improving
- You are unsure whether you need antibiotics
- Over-the-counter treatment has not helped
Early assessment may be particularly useful if you have severe symptoms or recurrent sinus problems.
When Is Sinusitis an Emergency?
Most sinusitis is not an emergency. However, infection around the sinuses can rarely spread to nearby structures, including the tissues around the eye.
Seek urgent medical attention rather than relying on telehealth if you develop:
- Swelling around the eye
- Severe pain around or behind the eye
- Changes in vision
- Double vision
- Difficulty moving the eye
- Significant swelling of the forehead
- Severe headache that is unusual for you
- Confusion or unusual drowsiness
- A stiff neck with severe illness
- Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
How Can NewTeleDoc Medical Help With Sinusitis?
A NewTeleDoc Medical GP can assess many uncomplicated sinusitis presentations through telehealth.
During your consultation, your GP can:
- Assess your sinus symptoms
- Review the duration and severity of your illness
- Determine whether your symptoms are more consistent with viral or possible bacterial sinusitis
- Discuss appropriate symptom relief
- Review medicines you have already tried
- Recommend prescription treatment when clinically appropriate
- Consider whether antibiotics are appropriate
- Arrange further investigation when required
- Recommend an in-person examination if necessary
- Refer you to an appropriate specialist for recurrent or complicated sinus problems
- Provide a medical certificate when clinically appropriate
If your symptoms require a physical examination or urgent treatment, your GP will advise you where to seek appropriate in-person care.
Treatment for Sinusitis
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms.
Rest and Fluids
For many uncomplicated cases, rest and adequate fluid intake can support recovery.
Allowing yourself time to recover can be particularly important when sinusitis develops following a viral respiratory infection.
Saline Nasal Treatment
Saline nasal sprays or rinses can help clear mucus and reduce nasal congestion for some people.
If using a nasal rinse, always follow the product instructions and use an appropriate safe water source as directed.
Pain Relief
Paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen may help relieve facial pain, headache and fever for people who can safely take these medicines.
Your GP or pharmacist can advise which option is appropriate for you, particularly if you have other medical conditions or take regular medications.
Nasal Steroid Sprays
Nasal corticosteroid sprays can reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and may be particularly useful when allergies or persistent nasal inflammation contribute to symptoms.
Your GP can advise whether a nasal steroid spray is appropriate and explain how to use it correctly.
Decongestants
Some decongestants may provide temporary relief from nasal congestion.
However, they are not suitable for everyone, particularly people with certain cardiovascular conditions, high blood pressure or other medical conditions.
Some topical nasal decongestant sprays should not be used for prolonged periods because overuse can make nasal congestion worse.
Speak with your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure whether a decongestant is suitable for you.
Do I Need Antibiotics for Sinusitis?
Not necessarily.
Many cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not treat viral infections.
Unnecessary antibiotic use can contribute to antibiotic resistance and can cause side effects.
If your GP believes bacterial sinusitis is likely and antibiotics are clinically appropriate, they can discuss the treatment options with you and prescribe an appropriate medicine when suitable.
Do not use leftover antibiotics or antibiotics prescribed for another person.
Sinusitis and Allergies
Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, can cause nasal inflammation and congestion and may contribute to sinus symptoms.
Allergy-related symptoms commonly include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Runny nose
- Blocked nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
If allergies are contributing to your symptoms, treating the underlying allergy may help reduce nasal and sinus problems.
Your NewTeleDoc Medical GP can discuss your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.
Chronic or Recurrent Sinusitis
Some people experience sinus symptoms repeatedly or for an extended period.
Chronic sinus problems may be associated with:
- Allergies
- Nasal polyps
- Ongoing nasal inflammation
- Asthma
- Structural problems affecting sinus drainage
- Recurrent infections
If you repeatedly experience sinusitis or your symptoms do not improve as expected, your GP may recommend further investigation or referral to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Further assessment may be particularly useful if symptoms are persistent, severe or affecting your quality of life.
Sinusitis in Children
Children can also develop sinus symptoms, particularly following viral infections.
A child with a blocked or runny nose, cough and facial discomfort may have a viral infection rather than bacterial sinusitis.
Parents should seek medical advice if the child's symptoms are severe, persistent, worsening or associated with concerning symptoms.
Urgent assessment is required for significant difficulty breathing, severe lethargy, swelling around the eye, significant dehydration or other serious symptoms.
How to Reduce the Risk of Sinus Problems
You cannot prevent every episode of sinusitis, but some measures may help reduce respiratory infections and nasal inflammation.
These include:
- Washing your hands regularly
- Avoiding close contact with people who are unwell
- Avoiding cigarette smoke
- Managing allergies appropriately
- Staying hydrated
- Following appropriate treatment for underlying nasal conditions
- Maintaining recommended vaccinations
If you have recurrent sinusitis, your GP can help identify possible triggers and develop a longer-term management plan.
How to Prepare for a Telehealth Sinusitis Consultation
Before your NewTeleDoc Medical appointment, it can be helpful to know:
- When your symptoms started.
- Whether you recently had a cold, flu or COVID-19.
- Whether your symptoms are improving or getting worse.
- Whether you have facial pain or pressure.
- Whether you have had a fever.
- What medications or nasal sprays you have tried.
- Whether you have allergies.
- Whether you have experienced sinusitis previously.
- What regular medications you take.
- Whether you have any medication allergies.
This information can help your GP determine the most appropriate treatment.
Book a Telehealth GP Appointment for Sinusitis
If you have blocked sinuses, facial pressure, nasal discharge, headache or other symptoms that may be related to sinusitis, NewTeleDoc Medical can provide a convenient telehealth GP consultation from the comfort of your home.
Your GP can assess your symptoms, discuss appropriate treatment and determine whether you need medication, further investigation or an in-person examination.
Book your NewTeleDoc Medical telehealth appointment today and speak with a GP from home.
Important Medical Information
This article provides general health information and does not replace individual medical advice.
Not every case of sinusitis requires antibiotics. Treatment depends on your symptoms, medical history and clinical assessment.
If you develop swelling around the eye, vision changes, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, confusion, severe headache or other emergency symptoms, seek urgent medical attention rather than relying on telehealth.