How Do I Know If My Sinus Infection Needs Urgent Care Treatment?

At SoCal Urgent Care, we understand how uncomfortable and disruptive sinus infections can be. Our urgent care center plays a key role in the rapid diagnosis and treatment of sinus infection symptoms, providing quick relief right when you need it most.

If you visit SoCal Urgent Care with complaints such as facial pressure, nasal congestion, headache, or thick nasal discharge, our experienced providers will begin by taking a thorough medical history. We’ll ask about the onset and duration of your symptoms, any recent illnesses, allergies, and other relevant health conditions to get a complete picture of your health.

Next, we’ll perform a focused physical examination, which includes checking your vital signs and carefully examining your nose, throat, and ears. Our providers may gently press on your sinuses to assess for tenderness, and use an otoscope to look for signs of inflammation or infection inside your nasal passages and ears.

In most cases, our skilled clinicians can diagnose sinus infections (sinusitis) clinically, meaning we base our diagnosis on your reported symptoms and the physical exam findings. If your symptoms are severe, prolonged, or if we suspect a complication, we can perform additional tests on-site. These may include rapid point-of-care tests, such as a nasal swab to rule out other infections, or, in rare cases, refer you for imaging studies like a sinus X-ray. However, for most routine cases, extra imaging is not necessary.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing SoCal Urgent Care is our speed and accessibility. You can receive a thorough evaluation and diagnosis for your sinus infection in a single visit—often without an appointment. This means you can start the right treatment, whether it’s symptom management, antibiotics for a bacterial infection, or a referral for specialized care, without unnecessary delay.

Our goal at SoCal Urgent Care is to provide the quick, comprehensive care you need to feel better and reduce your risk of complications—so you can get back to your life as soon as possible.

Sinus pain, pressure, or congestion are common symptoms often caused by mild conditions like a cold or allergies. However, there are times when you shouldn’t wait to seek professional care. At SoCal Urgent Care, our experienced medical team is here to evaluate and treat sinus symptoms that may require more than just home remedies.

When should you come in?

• If your sinus symptoms last more than 10 days without improving, or if they get better but then suddenly worsen, it could be a sign of a bacterial sinus infection that needs medical attention.

• Severe facial pain or swelling, high fever (over 101°F or 38.3°C), or thick, yellow or green nasal discharge are all signs that it’s time to visit SoCal Urgent Care.

• Warning symptoms such as vision changes, confusion, stiff neck, or swelling around the eyes could indicate a more serious infection or complication—these require urgent medical assessment.

• If you have a weakened immune system or existing health issues that put you at higher risk, don’t hesitate to come in for prompt evaluation.

Remember: While mild sinus symptoms often resolve on their own, SoCal Urgent Care is here for you when symptoms are severe, getting worse, lasting longer than usual, or associated with concerning features. Walk in or contact us today for fast, compassionate care.

At SoCal Urgent Care, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with nasal congestion, runny nose, and facial discomfort—especially when you’re not sure if you’re facing a sinus infection, allergies, or just the common cold. These conditions can share many symptoms, but knowing the differences can help you get the right treatment and feel better faster.

• Sinus Infections (Sinusitis): Sinus infections are a common reason patients seek care at SoCal Urgent Care. If you’re experiencing pain or pressure in your face (especially around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead) that worsens when you bend over, along with thick yellow or green nasal discharge, bad breath, or even a mild fever, you might have sinusitis. These symptoms often last longer than 10 days and can cause fatigue or even tooth pain.

• Allergies: If your main symptoms are clear, watery nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat—especially after exposure to pollen, dust, or pet dander—your symptoms may be due to allergies. Allergies usually don’t cause fever, and symptoms can persist as long as you’re exposed to the allergen.

• The Common Cold: Colds usually start with a sore throat and are followed by a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing. You may feel mildly tired or have a low-grade fever, but symptoms typically improve within 7 to 10 days. Cold symptoms tend to be milder and less focused on facial pain or itching.

Not Sure? We’re Here for You! It can be difficult to tell these conditions apart, but you don’t have to guess alone. If your symptoms are severe, have lasted more than 10 days, or are getting worse, visit SoCal Urgent Care for an expert evaluation. Our caring medical team will help diagnose the cause of your symptoms and offer the right treatment—whether you need prescription medications, allergy management, or just reassurance and supportive care.

Absolutely! At SoCal Urgent Care, our experienced medical team is ready to assess and treat sinus infections that cause facial pain or headaches. If you visit our clinic with symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pressure, headaches, fever, or recent illnesses, our healthcare providers will start by discussing your medical history and your current symptoms. We will then perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on your nose, throat, ears, and sinuses. Sometimes, we may gently press on your face to identify areas of tenderness.

In most cases, our SoCal Urgent Care providers can diagnose sinus infections. Our clinicians are skilled at distinguishing between viral and bacterial sinus infections. Since most sinus infections are viral, antibiotics are not always needed. However, if your symptoms are severe, have lasted longer than expected, or if we suspect a more serious infection or complication, we may recommend additional tests or imaging, although these are rarely necessary.

At SoCal Urgent Care, we are fully equipped to provide you with symptom relief recommendations, prescribe medications if appropriate, and give you clear advice on when to seek further medical attention. If your facial pain or headaches are intense, persistent, or accompanied by warning signs such as vision changes, confusion, or a high fever, our urgent care team can refer you for further evaluation to rule out more serious conditions.

For quick, convenient, and compassionate care for sinus infections causing facial pain or headaches, visit SoCal Urgent Care—your local resource for prompt medical attention. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 710 S Brookhurst St. Suite A, Anaheim, CA 92804 (less than 3 miles away from Disneyland). We serve patients from Anaheim CA, Buena Park CA, La Palma CA, Cerritos CA, Cypress CA, Stanton CA, Garden Grove CA, Fullerton CA, Placentia CA, and Olive CA.