Is It a Cold or a Sinus Infection?
Watery eyes, a stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pressure. How do you know when it’s a cold or a sinus infection?
With a cold, you pretty much have to wait it out and treat the symptoms. With a sinus infection, you need to talk with a doctor near you right away.
Cold symptoms
If you have a cold, most of the time, you will get better on your own in 10 days or less. You’ll have some of the symptoms of a sinus infection, but will be missing some of the key sinus infection symptoms.
Colds bring on a mix of symptoms that can make you feel tired and like you have a sinus infection, when you don’t. Those cold symptoms include:
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Extra Mucus
- Fatigue
- Swollen sinuses
- A lower grade fever in adults
Common Cold Treatments
Because the common cold is a virus, taking an antibiotic won’t help. You can take medications that limit the symptoms and may make you feel better. And getting plenty of sleep, water, and a healthy diet can help your body to heal faster.
Sinus Infection Symptoms
When your nasal passages become infected (usually from viruses, bacteria or allergies) then you have a sinus infection or sinusitis. Colds don’t usually cause sinus infections, but they do offer a breeding ground for them. Many people will begin with a cold and then it turns into a sinus infection, especially if you have had multiple sinus infections before.
When deciding whether you have a cold or sinus infection, look for the following symptoms:
- Thick yellow or green mucus
- Postnasal drip (mucus in the back of your throat)
- Headache and sinus pressure
- Cheeks and yes aching
- Fever
- Cough
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
Sinus Infection Treatments and Relief
If you think you have a sinus infection, you may need to see your doctor. The great news is that sinus infections can be diagnosed via Telemedicine. Telemedicine is where you can visit your local doctor right from your phone.
The last thing you want if you have the above symptoms is to have to travel to the doctor and sit in a waiting room just so they can write you a prescription. Getting your sinus infection diagnosis and prescription is much more convenient with a virtual visit on your phone.
Along with getting a sinus infection prescription, your doctor can offer other relief such as sinus irrigation and nasal sprays.
Speak to your doctor today if you think you or your child may have a sinus infection.