This tool helps determine whether a person's symptoms align with the clinical criteria for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. It simplifies the process by offering three symptom descriptions for user selection. Here's how it works:

- You are presented with three scenarios:
  - The first describes persistent symptoms or signs that last 10 days or more without any improvement.
  - The second involves severe symptoms, such as a high fever of at least 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit), combined with purulent nasal discharge or facial pain, persisting for at least 3-4 consecutive days at the start of the illness.
  - The third is about worsening symptoms, defined by the onset of fever, headache, or increased nasal discharge after initial improvements in a viral upper respiratory infection that lasted 5-6 days.

Once you select the scenario that best matches your symptoms, the tool checks if your situation meets any of these criteria. If at least one of the conditions is satisfied, it concludes that the clinical criteria for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis are met. Otherwise, it determines that the criteria are not met. This straightforward evaluation provides a clear answer on whether your symptoms align with those typically observed in acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.

The calculator in question is the Clinical Criteria for Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis. This is a diagnostic tool used in the clinical setting to identify patients who are likely suffering from acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, a common condition characterized by inflammation of the sinuses due to bacterial infection. 

The criteria are applicable to patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of sinusitis, such as nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, purulent nasal discharge, and reduced sense of smell. The clinical utility of this calculator lies in its ability to differentiate bacterial sinusitis from viral sinusitis, which can present with similar symptoms but require different treatment approaches. 

The Clinical Criteria for Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis is not suitable for patients with chronic sinusitis, those with a history of sinus surgery, or those with immunocompromised conditions, as these factors may alter the clinical presentation and progression of the disease.

Clinical criteria for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis