Why Does It Matter If It’s A Cold Or A Sinus Infection?

April 27, 2015 - PRLog -- Congestion, headaches, coughing. How do you know if it’s sinus infection (sinusitis) or a cold? Do you need to see a doctor for treatment or should you tough it out?

In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly 31 million adults were diagnosed with sinusitis. Women were almost twice as likely as men to receive the diagnosis, and there were more cases in the southern United States than elsewhere in the country.

While sinus infection symptoms often mimic those of a cold, the distinction is important when it comes to the treatment doctors prescribe. Since most colds are caused by a virus, your doctor won’t prescribe an antibiotic as these medications only treat bacterial infections. Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good because this can increase your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment. Doctors will typically recommend over-the-counter symptom-relief medications to patients who have viral infections.

While a cold usually lasts about 7 to 14 days and goes away without treatment, acute sinusitis, or a sinus infection, often lasts longer and typically causes more symptoms. Moreover, since a sinus infection is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed if a patient shows signs of sinusitis.

Sinusitis symptoms include:

- Facial pain/pressure, especially over the eyes, between the eyes and in the brow area
- Nasal stuffiness
- Nasal discharge
- Loss of smell
- Cough/congestion
- Additional symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
- Pain in your upper jaw and teeth, with tender cheeks

Express Care of Ocala takes great care when prescribing antibiotics, and all medications, as our medical practitioners are concerned with providing the best solutions for immediate symptom relief while taking long-term health implications into consideration. Learn more about Express Care of Ocala at expresscareofocala.com.