Is this just another case of the sniffles that some homemade chicken soup and a box of tissues can solve, or is it something else? You don’t want to confuse the common cold with a sinus infection. Searching for a “sinus doctor near me”? Hold on a second to see whether you need to contact a specialist or you’ll recover with just a bit of TLC.
What is the Difference Between a Cold & a Sinus Infection?
The common cold is caused by a virus. While there are medications that can relieve your symptoms, antibiotics won’t actually help heal you any faster. Your body should be more than capable of fighting the virus on its own.
You might experience the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Mucus
- Stuffed Nose
On the other hand, if your nasal passages become infected, you have a sinus infection. A sinus infection can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and allergies. The common cold may develop into a sinus infection if you are constantly touching your nose and face.
You can recognize a sinus infection by some of its common symptoms:
- Sinus pressure
- Persistent runny nose
- Severe Headaches
- Fever
- Cough
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
- Post-nasal Drip—thick yellow, green mucus dripping down the back of the throat
Typically, sinus infections are easily treatable. If they don’t heal on their own, a simple round of antibiotics should do the trick.
When Should I Seek Out a Sinus Doctor Near Me?
If your symptoms persist for longer than a week or two, you probably don’t have a cold. Colds generally don’t even last longer than a few days in adults and may not even result in a fever.
How Can A Sinus Doctor Near Me Help?
A sinus doctor can provide you with antibiotics to help cure your sinus infection. However, you can also try sinus irrigation and over-the-counter mucus thinners to try to ease your discomfort in the meantime.
I’m Still Searching for a Sinus Doctor Near Me!
If you have a chronic sinus conditions, your physician may recommend surgery. Dr. Paul Young is certified to treat all kinds of sinus infections. If you think you may be a candidate for sinus surgery, call our office today to ask about our non-invasive balloon sinuplasty surgery.