What To Do When a Cold Becomes a Sinus Infection

Here’s how to know and what to do when your cold becomes a sinus infection. Winter is the season for sniffles and colds, and while many colds clear up on their own, some can turn into a sinus infection. But how do you know when your cold has crossed that line? Let’s break down the differences between a cold and a sinus infection, what to watch for, and when to seek help.

Cold

Sinus Infection

A sinus infection (also known commonly as sinusitis), on the other hand, occurs when the cavities around your nasal passages become inflamed and blocked, often after a cold. Unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be caused by bacteria and could require medical treatment, depending on severity.

Symptoms of a Sinus Infection

It’s easy to confuse sinusitis with a lingering cold, but there are a few signs to look out for that may indicate it’s time to consider a sinus infection:

• Thick, yellow or green nasal discharge
  • If your mucus changes from clear to thick and discolored, it’s a key indicator of a sinus infection.
• Facial pain or pressure
  • A telltale sign of a sinus infection is pain or pressure around your forehead, eyes, or cheeks that worsen when bending over.
• Headaches
  • Sinus infections can cause throbbing headaches, particularly around the sinus areas.
• Fever
  • A low-grade fever may accompany a sinus infection, which is not common with a cold.
• Prolonged symptoms
  • If your cold symptoms last longer than 10 days or worsen after initially improving, it could be sinusitis.

When Should You Go to The Emergency Room?

In many cases, sinus infections clear up on their own, but you should seek medical attention if:

• You’ve had symptoms for more than 10 days without improvement
• Worsening symptoms like:
  • fatigue
  • unable to eat/drink
  • altered mental status
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath
  • tightness in your chest
• You experience severe pain or swelling in your face or around your eyes
• Headache not relieved by over the counter medications
• Your fever, if you have one, exceeds 101 and/or is not relieved by over the counter medications
• You’re dealing with recurrent sinus infections or symptoms that keep coming back

When You’re Feeling Your Worst, Surepoint Emergency Centers are at their Best!

Dealing with a sinus infection can feel like a never-ending wave of congestion, headaches, and fatigue. When your cold symptoms take a turn for the worse, Surepoint Emergency Centers are here to get you back to feeling your best.

Our team can provide quick relief without the wait of a traditional emergency room. Don’t let a sinus infection keep you down. Stop by your local Surepoint Emergency Center today for fast, compassionate care that gets you going again.

Surepoint Emergency Center is a modern emergency medical facility open 24/7. As an alternative to the traditional hospital ER experience, we offer convenience and minimal wait time, along with highly-trained emergency medical staff and state-of-the-art equipment.

Our top priority is bringing high-quality emergency care, quickly and easily to your family. We are committed to making patients feel better faster in a comforting and compassionate environment.

Expert convenient care in your neighborhood.