Sore Throat And Sinus Pain

Throat Irritation And Cough

As discharge from your sinuses drains down the back of your throat, it can cause irritation, especially over a long period of time. This can lead to a persistent and annoying cough, which can be worse when lying down to sleep or first thing in the morning after getting up from bed.

It can also make sleeping difficult. Sleeping upright or with your head elevated can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your coughing.

Treatments From Your Gp

See your GP if your symptoms are severe, don’t start to improve within 7 to 10 days, or are getting worse. They may recommend additional treatment with corticosteroid drops or sprays, or antibiotics.

If these treatments don’t help, you GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist for an assessment and to discuss whether surgery is a suitable option.

About Author: Lisa Coon

Lisa Coon is a Writing Coordinator for OSF HealthCare, where she has worked since August 2016. A Peoria native, she is a graduate of Bradley University with a degree in journalism. Previously, she worked as a reporter and editor at several newspapers in Iowa and Illinois.She lives in Groveland with her husband and son. In her free time she likes to cook, bake and read. She freely admits that reality TV is a weakness, and she lives by the quote, The beach is good for the soul.

Also Check: If Sinus Infection Is Left Untreated

Runny Nose Watery Eyes And Sneezing

When you have a cold, your body makes chemicals called histamines. That leads to sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.

Over-the-counter antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine block this process and can relieve those symptoms. They can also make you sleepy and dry out your eyes, nose, and mouth. Antihistamines can make secretions thick, which can be a problem for people with asthma.

Read Also: Prescription Nasal Spray For Sinus Infection

Sinus Infection And Sore Throat

Its easy to know when something is wrong with the body, but what tends to be less obvious is when you should seek care. A sinus infection, for instance, can make for difficult days and long nights especially when accompanied by a sore throat but is it cause for concern? Watch your symptoms, and if they worsen over time, you may need to visit American Urgent Care & Walk-In Clinics in Wildwood, FL.

You May Like: Pineapple Juice For Sinus Infection

Treatment For Sinusitis From A Gp

If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:

• steroid nasal sprays or drops â to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
• antihistamines â if an allergy is causing your symptoms
• antibiotics â if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and you’re very unwell or at risk of complications

You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.

A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if, for example, you:

• still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
• keep getting sinusitis
• only have symptoms on 1 side of your face

They may also recommend surgery in some cases.

Common Colds: Relief For A Stuffy Nose Cough And Sore Throat

There are no treatments that fight cold viruses directly. But nasal sprays and painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can provide some relief from cold symptoms. Many other treatments have either not been studied well enough or have no proven benefit.

Colds are very common: On average, adults come down with a cold 2 to 4 times a year, and children have as many as 6 to 8 colds a year. The reason that colds are so common is that they can be caused by very many different kinds of viruses. So having had one virus doesnât make you immune to other cold viruses.

Colds usually go away on their own after about one to two weeks. Although the symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, cough and headache can be bothersome, you donât need to take medication. None of the currently available treatments can shorten the length of a cold. Antibiotics only fight so they dont help in the treatment of simple common colds that are caused by viruses. They can have side effects too, so they should only be used if a bacterial infection develops as a complication of the cold.

Also Check: Migraines Caused By Sinus Problems

Looking After Yourself At Home

If your symptoms are mild and have lasted less than a week or so, you can usually take care of yourself without seeing your GP.

The following tips may help you feel better until you recover:

• Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to relieve a high temperature and pain check the leaflet that comes with your medication first to check it’s suitable, and never give aspirin to children under 16 years of age.
• Use over-the-counter nasal sprays or drops to help unblock your nose and allow you to breathe more easily these shouldn’t be used for more than a week at a time.
• Apply warm packs to your face to soothe your pain and help mucus drain from your sinuses.
• Regularly clean the inside of your nose with a salt water solution to help unblock your nose and reduce nasal discharge.

Sore Throat And Ear Pain On One Side

To learn more about sore throat and ear pain on one side, we have shared several conditions that can cause this discomfort. I assume that most people realize that many diseases have the same symptoms, which can be a challenge.

If you dont know what to look for, this could mislead you to think one condition is something else.

To help you overcome not falling victim to such a predicament, we will share some information in a simple form. We make it easy to understand so you can make wise decisions.

You must understand the process and figure out what condition may apply to you if any.

Here are a few things to know before considering the conditions listed below. You must be clear about what could be wrong with you based on the information given.

To do that, check all the symptoms to see what best suits your case. No guessing, be sure about what you are reading.

The final thing to know relates to treatment. You will find the best treatments for the condition you think you have. Every disease will share the causes, symptoms, and medicine that should help.

As a disclaimer, we encourage anyone who reads the information to check with their doctor first, as this information serves as a last resort for health advice.

Contents

You May Like: Is Advil Cold And Sinus An Antihistamine

When You Have A Sore Throat With A Headache

Sore throats and headaches are common symptoms of the flu. A sore throat is usually a sign that you have a bacterial infection which can be caused by the flu virus, adenovirus, or strep. Headaches can be due to fluid loss from fever, menstruation, dehydration, muscle tension, or sinusitis.

When you have a sore throat along with a headache, it is important to take note of the symptoms and see if there are any other symptoms that need to be taken care of. Soreness and tenderness in the throat can often accompany a headache, and can often be caused by postnasal drip. If these symptoms persist, call your doctor right away. Other symptoms that may need attention include sore eyes, nasal congestion, excessive exhaustion or fever.

There is a myriad of symptoms that can accompany a sore throat. When you have a sore throat with a headache, it could be because of the sinus pressure from the sore throat, or it may be due to an ear infection. You will also experience pain when swallowing and your voice may sound hoarse. In addition, your nose may run during this time.

Types Of Sinus Infections: Chronic Vs Acute

There are four types of sinus infections. These classifications depend on the length and frequency of the infection:

• Acute sinusitis.This type of sinus infection lasts only for a short time, defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology as less than 4 weeks. This short-term infection is usually part of a cold or other respiratory illness. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection .
• Subacute sinusitis. A subacute sinus infection lasts between 4 and 12 weeks .
• Recurrent acute sinusitis. An acute sinus infection is considered recurrent if the infection returns four or more times within a year, with each infection lasting 7 days or more.
• Chronic sinusitis.Chronic sinus infections last for more than 12 weeks or continue to recur.

Many sinus infection symptoms are common in both acute and chronic forms. Seeing a doctor is the best way to learn if you have an infection, find the cause, and get treatment.

• nasal congestion

For cases of acute bacterial sinus infections, these symptoms last at least 10 days without improving, or they worsen within 10 days after seeming to improve. In this case, its important to talk with a doctor, such as a general practitioner or an ear, nose, and throat doctor , to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Learn more about the symptoms of a sinus infection below.

You May Like: What To Do For A Sinus Infection Naturally

When To See A Doctor About Throat Pain

Dr. Allan says to use common sense when deciding whether to seek out medical care.

• Have throat pain thats severe, prolonged or not improving, or stretches into your ear.
• Have trouble swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth.
• Are coughing up blood or have blood in your saliva.
• Feel enlarged lymph nodes, or lumps, in your neck.
• Have white patches on the back of your throat or a rash, possible signs of strep throat or scarlet fever.
• Have a high fever.
• Lose your voice for more than a week or two.

And remember, when it comes to illnesses, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of hot toddies. Wash your hands often. And if you do get sick, Dr. Allan advises immediately replacing your toothbrush with a fresh, germ-free one.

What Is The Connection Between A Sinus Infection And Sore Throat

The trouble is that a sore or scratchy throat can be attributed to a number of different causes. For clarification, sinusitis presents symptoms that are often easy to identify, including nasal pain and inflammation. Other signs linked to sinusitis include:

• Teeth pain
• Face tenderness, including near the eyes and ears
• Sinus pressure
• Thick yellow or green mucus
• Redness or swelling in the face and nasal passages
• Itchy ears and throat

Also Check: What Medicine Is For Sinus Infection

How Can Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis Be Prevented

Prevention of a sinus infection depends upon its cause.

• Avoid contracting upper respiratory tract infections. Maintain strict hand washing habits and avoid people who are suffering from a cold or the flu.
• Obtaining the flu vaccination yearly will help to prevent the flu and subsequent infection of the upper respiratory tract.
• In some studies, zinc carbonate lozenges have been shown to reduce the duration of many cold symptoms.
• Stress reduction and a diet rich in antioxidants, especially fresh, dark-colored fruits and vegetables, may help strengthen the immune system.
• Plan for seasonal allergy attacks.
• If a sinus infection is caused by seasonal or environmental allergies, avoiding allergens is very important. If avoidance is not an option, either OTC or prescription medication may be helpful. OTC antihistamines or decongestant nasal sprays can be used for an acute attack.
• People who have seasonal allergies may benefit from nonsedating prescription antihistamines during allergy-season.
• Avoid spending long periods outdoors during allergy season. Close the windows to the house and use air conditioning to filter out allergens when possible. Humidifiers may also be helpful.
• Allergy shots, also called “immunotherapy,” may be effective in reducing or eliminating sinusitis due to allergies. An allergist administers shots regularly for 3 to 5 years, which often produces a reduction or complete remission of allergy symptoms for years.

Untreated Sinus Infection Risks

Sinus infections often start to improve on their own after about 10 days. If your symptoms last longer without improving or if they worsen, a doctor may need to treat the underlying cause of the infection.

If a sinus infection affects a sinus cavity close to the brain, it can spread to the brain if left untreated. Though rare, an infection can also pass into the eye socket and cause vision changes or blindness. These types of infections are more common in kids.

While uncommon, a serious fungal sinus infection left untreated may pass into the bones.

Make an appointment with a doctor if you have severe symptoms, or if the following symptoms last longer than 10 days or keep coming back:

• fever
• congestion
• facial pain

Because the cause of your sinus infection can affect your treatment options, its important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if youre looking for a doctor.

If you believe you have chronic or recurring sinusitis, consider asking for a referral to an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat specialist. You may need imaging and other tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

An ENT specialist can take a culture of nose drainage to better understand the cause of an infection. The ENT specialist can also examine the sinuses more closely and look for any problem in the structure of the nasal passages that could lead to chronic sinus problems.

• earaches

You May Like: Is A Sinus Operation Painful

Do I Need An Antibiotic

The teams at Pew, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Utah and elsewhere chose ear infections, sore throats and sinus infections because they generate 44 million antibiotic prescriptions a year.

Its only appropriate sometimes to prescribe antibiotics for these conditions. Strep throat is easily treated with antibiotics, and if a child with a middle ear infection has pus oozing out, a pediatrician will usually give an antibiotic. Sinus infections that linger may be helped with antibiotics.

But more sore throats and ear infections are caused by viruses, and an antibiotic will do nothing to help the patient. Sinus infections can sometimes involve bacteria but often are caused by viruses or fungi.

When an antibiotic is called for, it should be a basic one usually amoxicillin, the Pew team said. Thats not what people usually get, however.

The most commonly prescribed non-first-line antibiotics for sinus infections, middle ear infections and pharyngitis were macrolides , a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics frequently prescribed in outpatient settings, the Pew team wrote in their report.

However, macrolides are not recommended for sinus or middle ear infections and are recommended for pharyngitis only for patients with an allergy to the penicillin class of antibiotics.

Why would doctors prescribe the wrong drug?

You May Like: Bc Powder For Sinus Headache

What Are Common Sinus Infection Symptoms

Sinus infection symptoms can include the following:

• Sore throat
• Reduced sense of smell or taste
• Bad breath
• Yellowish or greenish nasal discharge
• Pain in the upper teeth

In some cases, a sinus infection and its accompanying symptoms can become chronic, lasting for weeks despite attempts to treat it.

Don’t Miss: Best Cold Medicine For Sinus Congestion

Does Covid Affect Your Throat

Thats a question made even more pressing by the COVID-19 pandemic. A sore throat is also a common symptom of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Most cases of post-nasal drip go away with time, but long-lasting, untreated post-nasal drip and excess mucus can create a breeding ground for germs, which in turn can lead to additional health complications, including sinus infections and ear infections.

Lingering Sinus Infection Or Chronic Runny Nose

A lingering sinus infection is different from a chronic runny nose. Chronic runny nose typically comes from allergies or other irritants in the air. However, this can turn into an infection over time.

When the sinuses become infected, the allergies, irritants, or viral cold have caused swelling in the nose thats blocked the drainage pathways. Consequently, fluid and mucous accumulate in the sinuses, where it has become infected with bacteria.

If youve been sick more than 10 days and begin to experience other symptoms like facial pressure, headache, and fever, youre dealing with more than a chronic runny nose.

Recommended Reading: Can I Take Z Pak For Sinus Infection

Which Specialties Of Doctors Treat Sinus Infections And Sinusitis

• Sinusitis is often first diagnosed by a general practitioner, primary care physician, or internal medicine physician. A pediatrician may diagnose sinus infections in children.
• If sinusitis is chronic or severe, you may be referred to an otolaryngologist, also called an ear, nose, and throat specialist . If your sinusitis is caused by allergies, you may be referred to an allergist.
• If you experience an emergency due to your sinusitis, go to the Emergency Department at the nearest hospital.

Attention For Throat Pain

Theres no denying the discomfort that comes with a scratchy throat. Its time to visit our office when your pain is accompanied by specific symptoms, including:

• Difficulty turning your head
• A fever over 101 degrees F
• Pain that impedes sleeping, talking, or eating
• Pus on the tonsils

These symptoms may indicate a strep infection that can be easily detected with a throat swab. If the test comes back positive, our staff will prescribe antibiotics. If you dont have a serious infection, youll be given relief from your symptoms so you can finally rest and recover.

Also Check: Tylenol Sinus And Headache Safe For Pregnancy