In general, acute sinusitis is a short-term condition that is not too severe. There is little or no need for treatment for many people. It usually takes seven to ten days for people to get better on their own. Infections caused by bacteria can only be treated with antibiotics. In most cases, sinusitis is caused by viruses or other causes that cannot be treated with antibiotics. If you experience any painful symptoms, you should consult your doctor. Infections caused by bacteria may require antibiotics. If your sinuses do not feel better after 10 days, if your symptoms have worsened, or if your symptoms initially improved and then worsened five to six days later ("double sickening"), you should seek to meet with a health care provider. You may have subacute or chronic sinusitis if your symptoms persist after four weeks. Your provider should be contacted if you develop other symptoms, such as severe eye swelling, or if you are not sure what to do next. Using warm, wet washcloths on your face can provide relief if you suffer from facial pain and you have healthy teeth. It is likely that you have had acute sinusitis and it has resolved on its own in about ten days. Contact your doctor if you continue to feel ill after three or four weeks. Acute sinusitis rarely causes complications. It is likely that you will recover on your own. It is possible, however, that an infection could spread into other parts of your nervous system, such as your brain, eyes, or spinal cord, in very rare cases. When left untreated, sinus infections can cause meningitis or infect the brain, eyes, or nearby bones. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that actually covers the brain and spinal cord (meninges).