Feeling stuffed up? Congestion is a common symptom associated with mild viral infections, seasonal allergies, and environmental irritants. While congestion is usually easily managed at home and goes away with time and proper management, severe cases of congestion can lead to a sinus infection forming. Sinus infections are secondary infections that lead to bacterial growth within blocked sinus passages. However, luckily sinus infections are preventable with proper symptom management in most cases.
If you’re feeling congested, visit AFC Urgent Care Southcenter. Our team of caring medical providers is available Monday through Saturday in Kent, WA. We provide same-day illness symptom diagnosis and treatment on a walk-in basis. Our clinic has the shortest wait times in the area! Or, book your visit in advance using the button below.
What Causes a Sinus Infection
Sinus infections are a kind of secondary infection. This means that they occur as the result of or following another illness. In most cases, sinus infections happen as the result of a viral infection like a cold causing severe congestion. However, other conditions which cause congestion can also cause a sinus infection to form.
When the nasal passages get clogged up with too much mucus, your sinus passages become a breeding ground for bacteria, which causes a sinus infection to form. Sinus infection symptoms can be painful and they require medical treatment to clear up. Without treatment, sinus infection symptoms can last for weeks on end, or even become chronic and cause long-term symptoms.
3 Tips for Preventing a Sinus Infection from Forming
Nasal Rinses
Getting rid of congestion is the best way to prevent a sinus infection from forming. Sinus rinses can be effective in freeing up and flushing excess mucus from your sinuses. Always be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle and use distilled water to prevent complications.
Decongestants
OTC decongestants can also be helpful in keeping congestion at bay which will help prevent a sinus infection from forming. There are many options available over the counter, however, you may need to speak to a pharmacist for options for severe congestion.
Seek Medical Care Early
If your congestion is severe, or you just can’t shake it, you need to seek medical care. Early intervention will allow your medical provider to take the necessary steps to prevent a sinus infection if possible, or begin treatment early before your symptoms become severe.
Visit AFC Southcenter for Sinus Infection Diagnosis and Treatment
Sinus infections are bacterial infections that occur due to severe mucus congestion in the sinuses. Rapid intervention for sinus infection symptoms is critical to prevent severe symptoms from occuring. If you’re feeling severely congested, or experiencing symptoms of a sinus infection and are looking for rapid relief, walk into AFC Urgent Care Southcenter.
At AFC Southcenter, our walk-in clinic in Kent, WA, makes it convenient to receive quality medical care when it works for your schedule! We’re open Monday through Saturday and accept walk-in patients. Our clinic works with most medical insurance plans, and we have affordable care for patients paying out-of pocket. To learn more, walk into the clinic or give our team a call at (425) 291-3300.
