Nose Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you think you have a sinus infection after a nose injury?

See significance of sinus infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have a fever of or higher?

Yes

Do you think that you have a mild fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Yes

Do you have diabetes?

Yes

Do you have a disease or take a medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have symptoms of a sinus infection but do not have a fever?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have moderate sinus pain after 48 hours of home treatment?

Yes

Do you have mild sinus pain with yellow or green nasal discharge after 72 hours of home treatment?

Yes

Have you had yellow nasal discharge for longer than 1 week, but you do not have other symptoms?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had nasal stuffiness for longer than 2 weeks, but you do not have other symptoms?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	April 20, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer