Do you have a cold that is hanging on or is getting worse? Chances are your cold has developed into a sinus infection, a problem that's common, says Dr. Alan Wild, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
“Most colds resolve without progressing to a sinus infection,” Wild said in a statement. “However, acute sinus infections — those that last less than two weeks — almost always begin as a cold.”
Deciphering the difference between the two illnesses can be difficult because they share many symptoms, such as headaches, congestion, and discolored nasal drainage. However, if you experience a fever, persistent or worsening symptoms that last longer than seven days, thick nasal mucus or dental pain, you have most likely developed a sinus infection, Wild warns.
How do you keep a cold from turning into to a sinus infection? Wild recommends the following:
• Use saline nasal rinses such as a nettie pot or NeilMed Sinus Rinse.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Try decongestants, such as Sudafed, Mucinex, and Vick’s Vapor Rub, cool mist vaporizers, or even sitting in a steamy shower.
• Rest and stay well-hydrated.
Antibiotics are effective only when the sinus infection is caused by a bacterial infection — something that can only be determined by a physician. Wild recommends starting with over-the-counter treatments before talking to your doctor about antibiotics.
People who experience frequent sinus infections, have an infection that lasts more than two weeks, or have been diagnosed with abnormal nasal anatomy, such as a deviated septum or polyps, should see an otolaryngologist and have sinus imagining — X-rays or a CT scan.
“Imaging studies are a must to prove the diagnosis of sinus problems like an infection or polyps. If the diagnosis is made, I usually prescribe antibiotics for four to six weeks, combined with oral steroid medications and possibly a nasal steroid spray for the patient, Wild says. "Many times, I also do allergy testing in an attempt to identify a correctable cause for the infections.
“Following initial treatment and allergy testing, a repeat CT scan is often done. If the patient’s symptoms are not responsive to medication or he or she continues to have an abnormal sinus scan, then the next step is usually sinus surgery.”
The best sinus infection, though, is the one you never get in the first place. To keep a sinus infection at bay, Wild offers these useful tips:
• Avoid contact with people who have colds.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Do not smoke.
• Create a healthy environment by controlling the dust, mold and other allergens in your home, and use a cool mist humidifier during the cold and dry winter months.
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