Sinus Infection Treatment (Sinusitis) at AFC Hickory, NC

Suspect you may have a sinus infection? Visit our urgent care clinic near you for fast treatment to get you feeling better quickly. Visit us today!

If you are feeling under the weather and suspect you may have a sinus infection, urgent care is a great resource for you to get fast treatment. Our clinic is fully equipped to diagnose and treat sinus infections quickly and conveniently. We offer sinus infection treatment among our range of services, including treatment for general illnesses, cold and flu treatment, and strep throat treatment.

Choosing urgent care means benefiting from minimal wait times, same-day care, and affordable costs. Why wait at the ER or for an appointment? Skip the wait and come into AFC Urgent Care where no appointment is needed. If you cannot get an appointment with your primary physician or wish to avoid long waits in the ER for sinus infection care, visit our walk-in clinic today.

Signs and Symptoms of Sinusitis

Sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Symptoms can vary depending on whether the infection is viral or bacterial. Typically, sinusitis may feel like lingering sinus pressure or pain in your upper respiratory system.

Common symptoms of a sinus infection include:

• Facial pressure or pain
• Headache
• Stuffed and/or runny nose
• Sore throat
• Ear pain
• Postnasal drip
• Fatigue
• Loss of smell and/or taste

Diagnosis and Treatment Process

When you visit the clinic with symptoms, you can absolutely receive proper treatment for sinus infections. Our experienced medical providers will perform a comprehensive physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms to help determine the best course of treatment.

The examination is of the same quality as with your primary care physician, where providers can inspect your ears, nose, and throat to look for signs of inflammation and infection. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, urgent care centers can even provide blood work for a more accurate diagnosis.

Treatment Options

The treatment plan depends on whether your infection is viral or bacterial:

• Bacterial Infections: If your sinus infection is bacterial, medical providers may prescribe antibiotics to fully treat the infection and help alleviate symptoms.
• Viral Infections: If the sinus infection is viral, antibiotic treatment will not help. In this case, you may be recommended over-the-counter medications for pain relief.
• Symptom Relief: Medical providers may prescribe decongestants to reduce inflammation in your sinuses. Your provider may also suggest other ways to reduce your symptoms.

What Are the Potential Risks of Trying At-Home Remedies?

Using a neti pot or other nasal irrigation device can feel like a simple, natural remedy, but there are real dangers if it’s not used correctly. One major risk comes when people use tap water instead of sterile or distilled water. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tap water may contain bacteria or even organisms like amoebas that can survive in your nasal passages and cause serious infections.

In a particularly concerning case study, a man developed Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis after using over-the-counter sinus rinses several times a day. While rare, this kind of complication shows that even common home remedies may pose risks when hygiene or water safety is ignored.

Another danger comes from free-living amoebas, like Naegleria fowleri (“brain-eating amoeba”), which have been linked to fatal brain infections when neti pots are used with unsafe water. The FDA advises only using distilled, sterile, or previously boiled (then cooled) water for nasal rinsing to reduce risk.

Bottom line: While nasal irrigation can help with congestion, misuse can lead to serious, even life-threatening infections. Use only the right kind of water, clean your device well, and talk to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about sinus health.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Today

Our team is committed to providing the best healthcare possible in a kind and caring environment, in an economical manner, while respecting the rights of all of our patients, at times and locations convenient to the patient. Pre-register today!

Visit our clinic if you are experiencing sinus infection symptoms. Our team can diagnose and plan the best treatment plan for your infection.

• The clinic is open seven days a week.
• Walk-in visits are always welcomed.
• We accept most major insurance providers.
• Low-cost treatment is available for self-paying patients.