• the general practitioner

A "common cold" should resolve within one to maximum two weeks. Chronic symptoms of the nose and sinuses last longer than that and if the symptoms do not resolve completely after 1-2 weeks or if there is an transient improvement and subsequent worsening the patient is advised to see a general practitioner.

• the ENT (ear-nose-throat) doctor

Chronic sinusitis is primarily treated by the primary care physician who usually advices nasal rinsing with saline and prescribes a nasal corticosteroid spray. If the disease is not controlled the patient can be referred to an ear-nose-throat (ENT)-doctor. Not controlled means that with the applied treatment the patients still has symptoms and impairment of quality of life. In unclear cases and thus unclear diagnosis of chronic sinusitis by the primary care physician the patient can also be referred to an ENT doctor.

• the pharmacist

Pharmacists are also members of the multidisciplinary team that can offer help in treating chronic sinusitis. They have knowledge about different drugs and can give useful advices on how to use nasal sprays. Some pharmacists can also advice you on how to perform nasal rinsing with salt water. The pharmacist will also stress the fact that a consequent use of nasal sprays with corticosteroids is essential to achieve the maximal benefit from this drug.

Additionally, counselling about the temporal effects of nasal sprays with corticosteroids can also be giving by the pharmacist. Patients should know that it might take some days before they start to notice the beneficial effects of nasal sprays with corticosteroids and that the effect is not instantly like for example with decongestive sprays. However, to make a proper diagnosis and to get the follow-up needed, you must also see a doctor and ideally an ear-nose-throat (ENT)-doctor.