Acute symptoms · Berlin
Acute sinusitis
Acute sinusitis is an acute medical condition that RAB Arztbesuche treats with a licensed physician on a home visit anywhere in Berlin — daily from 6 am to midnight, usually within 60 to 90 minutes.
Pressure pain over the forehead, cheeks or behind the eyes, purulent discharge, blocked nose, often fever — acute sinusitis is more than a heavy cold. Our specialist physicians come daily from 6 am to midnight, clarify the diagnosis on site and decide with you whether antibiotics are warranted.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
Acute sinusitis in Berlin — when the house call helps
Acute sinusitis usually arises from a banal cold: the nasal sinus mucosa swells, drainage stops, pressure rises. The typical pattern is a dull, stabbing pain over forehead, cheek or upper jaw, worsened by bending forward. Purulent discharge, blocked nose, fever and a malaise distinctly heavier than a normal cold often accompany it.
Most courses are viral and settle within ten days. The central clinical question is: when is an antibiotic indicated — and when is it not? This is where careful clinical assessment pays off. On the house call we take the time to classify the picture cleanly rather than start antibiotics out of caution or time pressure when they are not needed.
What happens during the house call
We take a history of onset and course, comorbidities and allergies. We then examine nose, throat, ears and lymph nodes, percuss the sinuses and check pressure points. Inspection of the mouth excludes a dental cause; a basic neurological exam screens for red flags. Where indicated we use a streptococcus rapid test and a COVID-19 test. On this basis we discuss therapy: decongestant sprays for no more than seven days, analgesics, steam inhalation, adequate fluids, possibly a steroid nasal spray. Antibiotics are used only with clear criteria — high fever, severe one-sided disease, no improvement after ten days or worsening after initial improvement.
When ENT follow-up is appropriate
For recurrent courses, chronic sinusitis, anatomical findings (septal deviation, polyps) or persistent symptoms despite adequate therapy, ENT review is sensible. We issue a referral, name suitable ENT practices in your district and coordinate with the ENT colleague on request.
How the house call works
You call our Berlin number or send a brief callback request. We clarify symptoms, duration, comorbidities, allergies and medication. With red flags (visual disturbance, periorbital swelling, neck stiffness) we direct you to ENT or emergency hospital care. Otherwise we dispatch the next available specialist.
On site we examine in structured fashion, talk through the likely cause and outline the treatment plan. We issue prescriptions, name an open pharmacy and provide written escalation criteria.
Billing and insurance
We bill according to the German private medical fee schedule (GOÄ) via our Privatärztliche Verrechnungsstelle. House call, examination, rapid tests and any administered medication are itemised separately. German private health insurance and Beihilfe schemes typically reimburse these positions in full.
We can issue the invoice in English on request and remain reachable by phone for billing questions after the visit.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Case profiles
Typical scenarios
Severe frontal sinusitis after a cold
A patient in Charlottenburg has had a cold for a week; now there is heavy pressure over the forehead, worse on bending. We examine, exclude red flags and treat symptomatically — antibiotics only with clear indication.
Hotel guest with blocked nose and fever
A business traveller in a Mitte hotel cannot breathe through the nose before an important meeting; fever is 38.9 °C. We clarify whether the sinusitis is viral or bacterial.
Recurrent sinusitis
A patient in Wilmersdorf has several flares each year. We treat the acute episode and issue an ENT referral for evaluation.
Maxillary sinusitis after dental work
A patient in Friedrichshain has unilateral cheek pain after a root canal. We clarify the dental component and coordinate with the dentist.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an antibiotic?
Mostly no. Acute sinusitis is overwhelmingly viral. Antibiotics enter the picture for high fever, severe unilateral disease, lack of improvement after ten days or relapse after initial improvement.
Does inhalation really help?
Yes — steam inhalation with saline eases breathing and improves drainage for many patients. Combined with decongestant sprays for no more than seven days it is a sensible base treatment.
How long does acute sinusitis last?
Typically symptoms improve markedly within seven to ten days. If they persist or worsen, re-evaluation is warranted.
Can the doctor sign me off work?
Yes. We can issue a sick-leave certificate on site as needed.
Book now or call
Get in touch — we will arrange a doctor for your house call regarding Acute sinusitis.