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TREATMENT TODAY
Text with a medical provider now. Just $49 for your first month of unlimited chats or $73 for a one-time visit. No appointment, no insurance required.
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Licensed providers
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9M+ users, 50k+ ratings
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Available 24/7 in 48 states
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As seen in
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HOW IT WORKS
Feeling better starts here
Get an account
Pay a flat fee, regardless of insurance status. A K Health membership is $49 for your first month, which includes unlimited virtual visits, or a one-time visit is $73.
Chat with a provider
Text with medical providers whenever, from wherever—no appointment needed.* Bypass hold music, travel time, and waiting rooms.
Start feeling better
Your provider shares your treatment plan, and if needed they’ll send a prescription to your local pharmacy. Text us 24/7 if you don’t feel better soon.
Available in all 48 continental US states. Not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
K Health memberships are not insurance and exclude ancillary services (e.g., labs, equipment, cost of medication, etc). See Terms of Service.
Health shouldn’t
require wealth
By treating you remotely and immediately, we save you money.
No surprise fees
No copays
No high deductibles
$73
In-person urgent care
*Based on a survey of out-of-pocket costs at 1,229 urgent care clinics across 43 U.S. states
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Stephanie Foley, MD
Neil Brown, MD
Heather Hylton, MS, PA-C
Lynn Byars, MD
David Morley, MD
See a medical provider you trust
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Our licensed providers were trained at top-tier medical institutions
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They use advanced health AI technology to provide you with personalized care
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And they’re available 24/7, just a text away
LEARN MORE
What is sinusitis?
What is a sinus infection?
A sinus infection happens when the sinus cavity becomes swollen and inflamed. The pain can occur behind the nose, cheekbones, and forehead. Sinus infections have several causes, including viral infections, bacteria, allergens, or other environmental exposures like pollution or cigarette smoke.
Symptoms of a sinus infection
Sinus infections differ from a typical head cold, although some symptoms may overlap. The most common symptoms of a sinus infection include:
- Congestion
- Postnasal drip
- Runny nose
- Green or yellow mucus
- Fever
- Pain behind the cheeks, nose, and forehead
- Sore throat
- Toothache
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Bad breath
What causes a sinus infection?
Viral infections are among the most common cause of sinus infections. Viruses like the common cold can cause inflammation and swelling in the sinuses, leading to mucus buildup.
Certain bacteria can also cause a sinus infection. This is more likely to occur if you have a weakened immune system or if the lining of your sinuses is damaged. Allergens like dust, pollen, and mold can also trigger an inflammation response in the sinuses, leading to a sinus infection.
Some people may experience chronic sinus infections. This is more likely to occur if you have one of the following risk factors:
- Frequent colds or infections
- Hay fever
- Cigarette smoking
- Frequent exposure to secondhand smoke
- Structural problems with the nasal cavity
- A weakened immune system
- Treatment with medication that suppresses the immune system
Treatment options
Sinus infections respond well to over-the-counter treatments and at-home care. Many go away without medication.
Home remedies can ease symptoms, such as warm compresses, steam inhalation, and using a humidifier to keep the air moist. Saline nasal sprays may also help reduce congestion. Decongestant nasal sprays can be used for up to three days when additional relief is needed. Always follow the instructions when taking over-the-counter medications.
Oral decongestants and medications like Robitussin or Mucinex can provide short-term relief from excessive mucus, coughing, and sinus pressure. These should be taken for a maximum of seven days.
OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve sinus headaches and general discomfort.
When sinus infections last longer than two weeks or continue to worsen after one week, consult a healthcare provider. You may need an antibiotic to clear the infection.
Are sinus infections contagious?
Sinus infections caused by viruses are contagious, similar to the common cold and influenza. They spread through airborne droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. It’s also possible to catch a sinus infection from close contact with someone who has one, like shaking hands or sharing utensils.
Good hygiene practices like regular hand washing, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick can help prevent the spread of sinus infections. A person with a viral sinus infection may be contagious for up to two weeks, including the few days before they begin showing symptoms.
What’s the best medicine for sinus pressure?
Sinus pressure treatment depends on the location and severity of the pressure. Pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce head pain and inflammation.
Saline nasal sprays and washes from a neti pot may help open the sinuses, decrease pressure, and ease congestion. These can typically be repeated a few times a day for relief.
Over-the-counter oral decongestants and nasal sprays can provide relief but are typically only safe for up to three days.
When allergies cause sinus infections, antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) may alleviate congestion and other symptoms.
Antibiotics for a bacterial sinus infection should begin working in as little as 48 hours. Be sure to take the whole course of antibiotics to prevent a recurrence of symptoms.
Can an online doctor treat a sinus infection?
In many cases, online doctors can effectively treat sinus infections. During the appointment, your provider will speak with you about your symptoms and ask questions about your health and medical history.
When symptoms are consistent with a bacterial sinus infection, online providers can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. If allergies or a viral infection are to blame, they can advise on over-the-counter treatment that may help ease your symptoms.
What medication can an online doctor prescribe for a sinus infection?
Most sinus infections do not require prescription medications. However, if your symptoms don’t improve after 10 days or worsen, you may have a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. In the United States, antibiotics are only available with a prescription from a medical provider.
Common antibiotics used to treat sinus infections include:
- Amoxicillin
- Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate)
- Doxycycline
- Cefdinir
How long does a sinus infection last?
Sinus infections caused by a virus may last 1-2 weeks and should clear up on their own. If allergies or hay fever are the cause, symptoms may last as long as the person is exposed to the allergen or trigger.
Sinus infections that don’t clear up after 10-14 days or keep coming back require medical care.
Can a sinus infection go away on its own?
Many sinus infections will go away on their own. A medical provider should evaluate sinus infections that worsen after one week. If a bacterial infection has caused it, antibiotics may be necessary to treat it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my prescription?
If one of our K Health-affiliated clinicians believes it’s medically appropriate, they’ll write a prescription and send it to a local pharmacy of your choice. To get a prescription, you’ll need to submit:
- Your home address
- The address and name of the pharmacy you want the prescription sent to
- A selfie for us to compare to your ID card photo to verify your identify
What’s included in the K Health membership?
Our K Health membership includes nearly everything K Health offers:
- Unlimited text-based visits with licensed medical providers
- 24/7 Urgent Care without an appointment
- Flexible appointments for chronic condition management
- Easy prescription management and renewals
- Treatment for anxiety and depression, including medication shipped to your door (medication cost not included)
- As always, no insurance needed, all on your own schedule
*24/7 Urgent Care is available in 48 states of the US. Not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
K Health memberships are not insurance and do not include any ancillary services, (e.g.) laboratory tests, durable medical equipment, appointments with other providers or specialists that we may refer you to, emergency or in-person urgent care facility visits; cost of medication and other referrals. Medical care is provided by K Health’s affiliated professional corporations. See Terms of Service.
How much does K Health cost?
If you want to chat with a medical provider, you can purchase a membership for just $49 for the first month, which gives you access to:
- Unlimited text-based visits with licensed medical providers
- 24/7 Urgent Care without an appointment
- Flexible appointments for chronic condition management
- Easy prescription management and renewals
- Treatment for anxiety and depression, including medication shipped to your door (medication cost not included)
- As always, no insurance needed, all on your own schedule
After your first month, you’ll automatically be enrolled in a quarterly plan (which is $147 each time). You’re free to cancel until 1 day before your membership renewal date.
If you prefer, you can instead pay for a one-time virtual visit, which costs $73 and includes 1 week of follow-up chats. You can also download the K Health app and use our smart Symptom Checker for free.
*24/7 Urgent Care is available in 48 states of the US. Not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
K Health memberships are not insurance and do not include any ancillary services, (e.g.) laboratory tests, durable medical equipment, appointments with other providers or specialists that we may refer you to, emergency or in-person urgent care facility visits; cost of medication and other referrals. Medical care is provided by K Health’s affiliated professional corporations. See Terms of Service.
Do you need insurance to use K Health?
Nope!
We’ve created efficient ways to bring the cost of healthcare way down and make quality care accessible to everyone, without needing to use health insurance.
You can sign up for our K Health membership which includes access to our Primary Care program, 24/7 Urgent Care visits, treatment for anxiety and depression, and more,* or you can pay for a one-time virtual visit. Plus, our Symptom Checker is always free to use.
Learn more about our approach to pricing
*24/7 Urgent Care is available in 48 states of the US. Not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
K Health memberships are not insurance and do not include any ancillary services, (e.g.) laboratory tests, durable medical equipment, appointments with other providers or specialists that we may refer you to, emergency or in-person urgent care facility visits; cost of medication and other referrals. Medical care is provided by K Health’s affiliated professional corporations.
See Terms of Service.
Can I use my insurance to pay for K Health?
With the exception of certain Surest and Elevance Health plans, we don’t accept insurance to pay for K Health memberships, one-time Urgent Care virtual visits, or mail-order medication, but we keep our prices low to keep medical care accessible to everyone. In many cases, our prices are lower than your insurance copay would have been!
If your medical provider prescribes you medication to pick up at your local pharmacy or orders bloodwork to a lab of your choice, you can use your insurance at those locations.
Are there any conditions that K Health doesn’t treat?
K Health-affiliated medical providers can diagnose and treat most things you might see an in-person primary care doctor for. However, there are sometimes instances when we recommend you see a doctor in person.
For example, ear infections and strep throat are two common conditions that require an in-person consultation for diagnosis. However, K Health-affiliated providers can help assess severity and provide guidance on what to do next.
We also don’t treat anyone who:
- is under 18 years old
- lives in Hawaii or Alaska
- has a medical condition that requires a specialist (on a case by case basis)
- is currently pregnant
- is currently being treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- has an autoimmune disease
- is currently on immunosuppressants
- is diagnosed with AIDS
- is currently in hospice care
- has a history of organ transplant
- is dependent on oxygen
- has significant liver, kidney, or other organ failure
- is seeking medical management related to worker’s comp or injury litigation
We don’t prescribe controlled substances, and we cannot prescribe other high-risk medications that are subject to abuse. Learn more in our Medical Policies.
*24/7 Urgent Care is available in all 48 continental US states. Not available in Alaska or Hawaii. K Health memberships are not insurance and exclude ancillary services (e.g., referrals, labs, equipment, cost of medication, etc). Medical care is provided by K Health’s affiliated professional corporations. See Terms of Service.
