acute rhinosinusitis guideline
There has been a bit of confusion about some of the wording in the blog (that being the wording of the guidelines). To clarify what the definitions are: Acute rhinosinusitis can last up to 4 weeks (with chronic after 12 weeks, and the amorphous “subacute” in between). That being said, most acute rhinosinusitis is only 1-2 weeks. Viral is presumed if the purulent discharge lasts <10 days and is improving over time. Bacterial is presumed if it lasts >10 days or is getting worse. The purpose of watchful waiting is that even their presumptive bacterial rhinosinusitis may still get better over the next week on its own (?? Because it never really was bacterial, vs the body handling the bacterium by itself without the assistance of antibiotics). Hope that helps. geoff The Am Acad of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery just published a clinical practice guideline on adult sinusitis (for exec summary, see sinusitis adult guideline otolar 2015 ...