Q: When my family gets sick, I often have trouble identifying what they are suffering from. What are the differences between common colds and sinus infections?
A: The common cold and sinus infections have similar symptoms. Sometimes, a cold can even develop into a sinus infection. However, both illnesses have a few distinct symptoms. By understanding each illness, you can understand the different means of treatment.
An upper respiratory infection caused by a virus, the common cold is a slow-building illness. A cold usually starts with mild symptoms for a day or two and peaks by day three. You will begin to feel relief from symptoms by day six or seven.
Occasionally, a cold will involve the sinuses and cause swelling. This prevents the flow of mucus, allowing an infection to form and grow. If your cold symptoms seem to worsen after six to seven days and you start to have a green or yellow discharge from the nose, you may need to see your doctor.
Some of the common symptoms of the cold virus include:
• Nasal congestion
• A tired, run-down feeling
• A runny nose with clear discharge
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Post nasal drip-fluid draining down the back of the throat
• In children, a fever may develop
• Coughing
• Headaches
There is no treatment to cure a common cold virus, but certain over-the-counter medication may help relieve symptoms. A decongestant works by shrinking swollen membranes to allow more air to pass through nasal passages. A cough suppressant can help calm the cough reflex by thinning mucus, so it can be more easily expelled. However, studies of the effectiveness of these medicines are mixed.
Pain relievers, such as acetametaphin and ibuprofen, can effectively treat the overall discomfort or fever. In the short term, over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray can temporarily ease congestion.
Sinus infections are caused by colds, infections, allergies or other factors that cause swelling in the sinuses.
Common symptoms of a sinus infection include:
• Pressure or pain behind the eyes or cheeks
• Pain in the top row of teeth
• Congestion
• Green or yellow discharge from the nose
• Headache
• Post nasal drip
The easiest way to identify a sinus infection from a common cold is by how long the symptoms last. While cold symptoms usually only last a week, symptoms for a sinus infection may last any where from four to eight weeks. Sinus infections can reoccur throughout the year, but are more frequent in the cold and flu season.
Q: What's the best way to treat a sinus infection?
A: Depending on how severe the pain or pressure may be or how long your symptoms last can determine what type of treatment you should use.
For symptoms that are less painful, self-care treatments can be very beneficial. Drink plenty of water or hydrating beverages - hot tea is often recommended. Nasal saline irrigators with a bulb syringe or neti pot can speed the recovery of a sinus infection.
Over-the-counter decongestants may help reduce nasal congestion. Pain medication can also relieve both inflammation and any pain discomfort you have. As previously mentioned you'll want to be careful if using over-the-counter nasal spray - less than a week to avoid dependence is recommended.
Antibiotics are usually used if symptoms persist for more than a week. Decongestants and other medications help decrease the swelling in your sinuses and nasal passages. If you suffer from chronic or reoccurring sinus infections, inhaled nasal steroids are an effective way to help reduce tissue swelling and prevent sinus passages from becoming blocked. When medications and treatments fail, surgery may be necessary to expand the sinus cavity to allow adequate drainage.
It may be difficult to identify your sinus infection; however, it's important to know what type of illness you are suffering from.
- Anthony Rogerson, MD, FACS, joined Monroe Clinic in 1994. Dr. Rogerson is board certified in otorhinolaryngology and serves as a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin.
A: The common cold and sinus infections have similar symptoms. Sometimes, a cold can even develop into a sinus infection. However, both illnesses have a few distinct symptoms. By understanding each illness, you can understand the different means of treatment.
An upper respiratory infection caused by a virus, the common cold is a slow-building illness. A cold usually starts with mild symptoms for a day or two and peaks by day three. You will begin to feel relief from symptoms by day six or seven.
Occasionally, a cold will involve the sinuses and cause swelling. This prevents the flow of mucus, allowing an infection to form and grow. If your cold symptoms seem to worsen after six to seven days and you start to have a green or yellow discharge from the nose, you may need to see your doctor.
Some of the common symptoms of the cold virus include:
• Nasal congestion
• A tired, run-down feeling
• A runny nose with clear discharge
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Post nasal drip-fluid draining down the back of the throat
• In children, a fever may develop
• Coughing
• Headaches
There is no treatment to cure a common cold virus, but certain over-the-counter medication may help relieve symptoms. A decongestant works by shrinking swollen membranes to allow more air to pass through nasal passages. A cough suppressant can help calm the cough reflex by thinning mucus, so it can be more easily expelled. However, studies of the effectiveness of these medicines are mixed.
Pain relievers, such as acetametaphin and ibuprofen, can effectively treat the overall discomfort or fever. In the short term, over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray can temporarily ease congestion.
Sinus infections are caused by colds, infections, allergies or other factors that cause swelling in the sinuses.
Common symptoms of a sinus infection include:
• Pressure or pain behind the eyes or cheeks
• Pain in the top row of teeth
• Congestion
• Green or yellow discharge from the nose
• Headache
• Post nasal drip
The easiest way to identify a sinus infection from a common cold is by how long the symptoms last. While cold symptoms usually only last a week, symptoms for a sinus infection may last any where from four to eight weeks. Sinus infections can reoccur throughout the year, but are more frequent in the cold and flu season.
Q: What's the best way to treat a sinus infection?
A: Depending on how severe the pain or pressure may be or how long your symptoms last can determine what type of treatment you should use.
For symptoms that are less painful, self-care treatments can be very beneficial. Drink plenty of water or hydrating beverages - hot tea is often recommended. Nasal saline irrigators with a bulb syringe or neti pot can speed the recovery of a sinus infection.
Over-the-counter decongestants may help reduce nasal congestion. Pain medication can also relieve both inflammation and any pain discomfort you have. As previously mentioned you'll want to be careful if using over-the-counter nasal spray - less than a week to avoid dependence is recommended.
Antibiotics are usually used if symptoms persist for more than a week. Decongestants and other medications help decrease the swelling in your sinuses and nasal passages. If you suffer from chronic or reoccurring sinus infections, inhaled nasal steroids are an effective way to help reduce tissue swelling and prevent sinus passages from becoming blocked. When medications and treatments fail, surgery may be necessary to expand the sinus cavity to allow adequate drainage.
It may be difficult to identify your sinus infection; however, it's important to know what type of illness you are suffering from.
- Anthony Rogerson, MD, FACS, joined Monroe Clinic in 1994. Dr. Rogerson is board certified in otorhinolaryngology and serves as a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin.
