HOUSE CALL: IS IT COLD OR IS IT SINUS INFECTION?

How do you know if you have a sinus infection or a cold?  Dr Mariana Browne gives us the answer in our House Call.

Transcript

00:00How do you know if you have a sinus infection or a cold? Dr. Mariana Brown

00:05gives us the answer in tonight's house call.

00:07A stuffy nose, headaches, facial pressure and a heavy feeling behind the eyes, we've all been

00:25there. But when a simple cold lingers and symptoms get worse, we could be dealing with a sinus

00:32infection. Tonight on house call we're going to talk about acute bacterial sinus infections,

00:39what they are, what the signs are and when it's time to see a doctor.

00:44Your sinuses are air filled spaces around the nose and eyes. They normally drain mucus but when you

00:52get a cold or allergies, sometimes that drainage can become blocked and if bacteria starts to grow

00:59then you can develop an acute bacterial sinus infection. Here are some common symptoms to

01:05look out for. Nasal congestion or stuffiness, facial pain around the eyes, nose or forehead,

01:14a thick yellow or green nasal discharge, a headache that gets worse when you bend forward, fatigue,

01:23fever or even tooth pain. There are three ways you can tell that it's a bacterial infection and not

01:32just a viral illness. Number one, if the duration of your symptoms lasts longer than 10 days. Number

01:40two, if your symptoms worsen after initially getting better. And number three, if you have high fever

01:49and worsening facial pain, it is likely bacterial. Viral illnesses tend to resolve within seven days

01:56without antibiotics. Here's how we can manage mild cases. Rest, hydration, over-the-counter saline sprays

02:05or decongestants and antihistamines. A warm compress can help relieve facial pain and pressure. If your

02:14symptoms persist longer than 10 days, it's time to see a doctor and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

02:21We avoid unnecessary antibiotic use for viral infections as it can lead to antibiotic resistance.

02:30For people with recurrent sinus infections, managing your allergies and nasal information is key. Most

02:38sinus infections start as something small but continue to something very big if left untreated. Pay

02:45attention to how long your symptoms last and how severe they become. If you have sinus pressure, fever and

02:54thick nasal discharge for more than 10 days, it's time to see your doctor. Early treatment can help you

03:01breathe and feel better faster. It's Dr. Mariana Brown for TV6 Household.