When is it a cold—or a sinus infection?
If you’ve never had a sinus infection, they can come as quite the unpleasant surprise. But are sinus infections — also known as sinusitis — something to tackle with home care for a sinus infection with a little TLC, or is it best to seek a doctor’s care?
First, a quick rundown of common sinusitis symptoms:
- Nasal congestion
- Coughing or sneezing
- Discolored nasal discharge (often thick and yellow)
- Post-nasal drip
- Headache or facial pain
- Fever
Many of these symptoms are similar to cold symptoms. Common colds can progress into sinus infections, so if you have a cold that lingers for more than 10 days, you might have sinusitis.
Home Care for a Sinus Infection or Doctor’s Visit?
If you have any doubts about your health or home care for a sinus infection, it won’t hurt to check in with a doctor like Dr. Rogers Centers — even for something that might seem small.
With that in mind, here are some cases when it’s advised to talk with a doc:
- You have a fever (fevers aren’t present with every sinus infection)
- Your symptoms are severe
- You have facial pain
- Your upper teeth hurt
- You have a headache that won’t go away with common pain relievers
- You have a fever of 101°F or higher
- You know you have a sinus infection, and antibiotics haven’t helped after three to five days
If you find out you have sinusitis, a doctor might recommend treatments like these:
- Decongestants
- Nasal spray or drops
- Antibiotics
- Pain relievers
Think you might have a sinus infection? Our expert team of NYC sinus doctors can offer personalized advice, so just give us a call if we can help.