At a glance
- For adults with symptoms of sinusitis.
- Most cases are viral – an antibiotic is not always appropriate.
- Swelling around the eye, problems with your vision or a very severe headache need urgent medical help.
Typical symptoms of sinusitis
- a feeling of pressure or pain around the forehead, nose and cheeks that gets worse when you bend forward,
- a blocked nose and thick mucus,
- a reduced sense of smell,
- a headache, sometimes a slightly raised temperature.
The form asks how long your symptoms have lasted and how they are changing – this helps to tell a viral infection from a bacterial one.
What the nurse can do
The Minister of Health's list allows nurses to independently prescribe amoxicillin – an antibiotic used, among other things, for bacterial infections of the sinuses and ear.
If an antibiotic isn't appropriate, you'll receive advice on relieving your symptoms. If your symptoms need an examination, the nurse will refer you to a doctor.
What about earache
Earache can accompany an upper respiratory tract infection, but its cause can often be established only by looking into the ear. That's why, with earache, the nurse recommends seeing a doctor more often than with other conditions.
How it works
You fill in a form
You describe your symptoms and answer questions about your health, the medicines you take and your medical history. It takes a few minutes.
A nurse assesses your request
A nurse or midwife reads your answers and, if anything is missing, asks follow-up questions. It is the nurse or midwife who decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
You get an e-prescription or a clear answer
If a medicine is appropriate, you receive an e-prescription code that you can use at any pharmacy. If not, you'll find out why and what to do next.
When you need to see a doctor
Contact a doctor – and in an emergency, call for help – if:
- you have swelling or redness around the eye, double vision or worsening vision,
- you have a very severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion or loss of consciousness,
- you have a high fever,
- there is discharge coming from your ear or your hearing has suddenly got worse,
- the symptoms affect a child or anyone under 18,
- you are pregnant,
- you are allergic to penicillins,
- your symptoms are not going away or often come back.
In an emergency – severe pain, shortness of breath, confusion or loss of consciousness, rapidly worsening symptoms – call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (SOR). An online consultation is not an emergency service.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need an antibiotic for sinusitis?
No. Most cases of sinusitis are viral and clear up with symptom relief. Whether an antibiotic is appropriate is decided by the nurse, based on your answers.
Can a nurse issue a prescription for an antibiotic?
Yes, if it is appropriate. The Minister of Health's list includes an antibiotic used for bacterial infections of the sinuses and ear.
I have earache. Can I use the consultation?
You can describe your symptoms, but earache often needs an examination by a doctor. The nurse will tell you whether a remote consultation is enough.
Will I definitely get a prescription?
There's no guarantee. A prescription is issued only when the medicine is appropriate and safe.
The content on this page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
