- Viral rhinosinusitis typically resolves without requiring medical intervention.
- Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis may be treated with antibiotics in addition to decongestants (to treat nasal obstruction), topical nasal steroids (to decrease inflammation), saline irrigation (to thin the nasal secretions, clean the sinonasal cavities, and stimulate the nasal cavity to clean itself), antihistamines (to decrease the effects of allergies), and mucolytics (to thin the thick nasal discharge). Surgical treatment is typically avoided, unless the patient is experiencing a major complication due to the acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.
- Chronic rhinosinusitis may be treated with longer courses of antibiotics, in addition to decongestants (to treat nasal obstruction), topical nasal steroids (to decrease inflammation), saline irrigation (to thin the nasal secretions, clean the sinonasal cavities, and stimulate the nasal cavity to clean itself), antihistamines (to decrease the effects of allergies), and mucolytics (to make thick nasal discharge thinner). Surgical treatment is considered if the patient is experiencing a complication due to the chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis, or is not improving with the medications listed above.
