Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Summer Cold Or Sinus Infection

When To See A Specialist

Summer Sinusitis

If your sinus infection does not go away after 1 or even 2 courses of antibiotics, you should see an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Some people get sinus infections over and over (especially people who smoke or have allergies and smoking. If these cases, a recurring infection can become chronic if not treated successfully and sinus surgery may be needed.

How Long Do Symptoms Last

Typically, a sinus infection clears up within 2 to 3 weeks. COVID-19 lasts for about a week or two depending on its severity and your overall health.

A 2020 study surveyed 270 outpatients with COVID-19. Among them, 175 people reported returning to their usual level of health about 7 days after a positive COVID-19 test.

Some symptoms like cough and loss of smell or taste may linger temporarily after COVID-19. Some people may experience long-haul COVID-19, a group of symptoms that persist in the weeks and months following an infection.

Treatments For Summer Sinus Issues

If you have been fighting off sinus infections for more than three months, it is time to seek medical attention to regain your quality of life. We are very happy that we have many options for treatment at Excel ENT!

Which treatment option may be right for you will vary greatly depending on your specific situation, including what is causing your sinus problems. Dr. Davis is an expert in diagnosing these problems and coming up with the best treatment options.

These include treatments such as RhinAer, SINUVA, and our new biologic option Dupixent to balloon sinuplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery, we are thankful to have so many options these days that can help us truly provide relief for our patients.

You May Like: How To Relieve Severe Sinus Congestion

The Cause Of Your Summer Sinus Issues: Inflammation

Days spent at the pool, nights around the bonfire, hours spent playing outside in the grass. While these are all wonderful things about summer, they can also cause inflammation of your sinuses, which then may lead to sinus problems.

At Excel ENT, we have many strategies to recommend and treatment options available that can provide significant relief.

Pain Or Pressure In Your Sinuses

Summer Cold or Sinus Infection?

Facial pain is a common symptom of sinusitis. You have several different sinuses above and below your eyes, as well as behind your nose. Any of these air-filled cavities can hurt when you have a sinus infection.

Inflammation and swelling can cause your sinuses to ache with dull pressure. This is because inflammation may alter the typical path of mucus from the nose to the back of the throat.

You may feel pain in:

  • your forehead
  • on either side of your nose
  • in your upper jaws and teeth
  • between your eyes

This may lead to a headache. Headaches caused by sinus infections can occur where the sinuses are or in other places.

Recommended Reading: All Natural Sinus Infection Remedy

How To Diagnose Your Cold Vs Sinus Infection

When symptoms become bad enough or last long enough that you want to seek medical advice, an experienced ENT specialist can diagnose what is causing your discomfort. A cold can often be diagnosed with a standard physical exam, and some viruses can be confirmed with blood testing if necessary.

If the doctor suspects a sinus infection, they may perform a rhinoscopy or endoscopy to view the inside of your sinus cavities with a thin endoscope device. Once it is confirmed that a sinus infection is the source of your symptoms the doctor can then work to determine the root cause of the infection, be it allergies, nasal polyps, or another underlying source. If allergies are suspected as the cause, testing can be completed to diagnose which allergies are at play. The best form of treatment for your infection will depend on the diagnosed source of the issue.

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.

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.

Also Check: My Ears Hurt From Sinus Pressure

Hot Weather Situations That Can Lead To A Summer Sinus Infection

Sinus infections are caused by the inflammation of the tissues lining the sinus cavities, and are the result of either a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Conditions that make it difficult for the cilia to function increase your likelihood of coming down with a summer sinus infection. These conditions include but extend beyond summers definition trait: the heat.

Main Differences Between Cold And Sinus Infection

Stop Seasonal Nasal Congestion and Sinus Infection
  • The facial pressure or pain is regular in sinus infection but rarely in cold infection.
  • Bad breath may occur in the sinus but not in the cold.
  • Sinus happens for nearly 14 days, but Cold happens for less than 10 days.
  • Sinus doe not includes any coughing, but Cold includes coughing.
  • The cold keeps the nose stuffy, but Sinus does not keep the nose stuffy.
  • Medicines vary in cold but proper medication in a Sinus infection.
  • Recommended Reading: Foods Good For Sinus Infection

    What Are The Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection Vs A Cold

    While the symptoms may be similarrunny nose, headache, fatiguethere are some differences between the two conditions that can help you determine which one you have.

    The main difference between the symptoms of a cold and sinus infection is how long they linger. Dr. Bhattacharyya says cold sufferers typically have a runny nose for two to three days, followed by a stuffy nose for two to three days. After that, most people begin to feel better. The CDC notes that the following symptoms are common with colds:

    • Sneezing
    • Mucus dripping down your throat
    • Watery eyes
    • Fever

    Alternately, sinus infections usually last a bit longer than a common cold, and may hang around for seven days or more. A fever may also signal a bacterial infection. As Lord can attest, sinus infections are sometimes accompanied by a low-grade fever, while colds typically are not. Other viruses do cause fevers, however. Here’s what the CDC says about the other symptoms of sinus infections:

    • Runny nose
    • Mucus dripping down the throat
    • Sore throat
    • Cough
    • Bad breath

    Another potentially helpful sign is the color of your nasal discharge. Unlike colds, which generally produce clear mucus, bacterial infections can produce greenish or yellow mucus. However, viruses sometimes produce colorful discharge as well, so this isn’t considered a fail-safe test.

    How Do I Know Its A Cold And Not Caused By An Allergy

    Summer colds and allergies share similar traits like a runny nose, sneezing, congestion and an itchy or sore throat, but generally a cold will also include other symptoms like sweating, fever and coughing. If your symptoms disappear after a couple of weeks, youve probably had a summer cold that has run its course allergy symptoms tend to persist longer, and tend to be consistent. Cold symptoms also tend to start mild, worsen over time and then return to mild.

    The onset of symptoms is also different. With a cold, the onset of individual symptoms can occur at different times, whereas with allergies they all tend to come on at once. If your symptoms tend to get worse if you travel to a different region, its more likely you have an allergy as well, because potential allergens and pollinating plants can differ markedly from one location to another.

    Read Also: What Will A Doctor Prescribe For A Sinus Infection

    Sinus Infection Vs Cold: How To Tell The Difference

    June 14, 2021 Written by: Michael Menachof Categories: Sinus

    Dr. Menachof, MD, has specialized in conditions around the head, throat, ear, nose, neck and face for over 20 years, and was the first to bring sublingual allergy drops to Colorado in 2005. He has been recognized as a Fellow by multiple academies, named one of Americas Top Facial Plastic Surgeons continually since 2003 and is featured in multiple national publications.

    When youre feeling sick, it can be tough to tell whether you are struggling with a sinus infection or simply have the common cold. The symptoms of these conditions can be very similar, but there are important differences between the two and they must be treated differently in order for you to find relief.

    The Best Home Remedies To Treat Summer Cold

    The air conditioning, the cause of your sinus infection

    How long a cold extends depends on an individuals immune response and is also influenced by the diet, adequate hydration and the physical activity levels of the person. Follow these simple and effective home remedies to get respite from summer colds:

    Adequate Rest

    Proper rest and adequate sleep are essential to allow the body to recuperate well and boost the immune system. Avoid intense physical activity and stress as these would aggravate the condition.

    Stay Well Hydrated

    It is essential to maintain hydration well, drink plenty of water and stay away from caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Mild soups and a hot cup of tea are comforting foods that can soothe you and ease the symptoms of a summer cold.

    Eat Healthy

    A nutritious and well-balanced diet will provide you with adequate energy and protein to combat illness and stay healthy. A diet plentiful in vegetables and fruits will provide you with immune-boosting nutrients like vitamins A, D, C, zinc and iron that helps to keep diseases at bay. Also Read: 5 Best Foods For Immune System

    Herbal Drinks

    Herbal drinks and concoctions are best to bolster the immune system and help lessen the symptoms associated with a summer cold and battles the infections causing agents. The powerful pant phytonutrients and antioxidants work wonders in treating summer cold. Turmeric, basil leaves, garlic, ginger and liquorice are some of the valuable herbs that help in treating summer cold.

    Humidifiers

    Supplements

    Don’t Miss: Can Sinus Cause Head Pain

    When To See A Doctor

    If cold symptoms come and go, or are at least significantly improving, within a week, you probably dont need to see a doctor.

    If your congestion, sinus pressure, and other symptoms persist, see your physician or visit an urgent care clinic. You may need medication to treat an infection.

    For infants under 3 months of age, a fever at or above 100.4°F that persists for more than a day should prompt a visit to the doctor.

    A child of any age who has a fever that lingers for two or more days or gets progressively higher should be seen by a doctor.

    Earaches and uncharacteristic fussiness in a child can also suggest an infection that needs medical evaluation. Other signs of a serious viral or bacterial infection include an unusually low appetite and extreme drowsiness.

    If youre an adult and have a persistent fever of above 101.3°F , see a doctor. This could indicate your cold has turned into a superimposed bacterial infection.

    Also see a healthcare provider if your breathing is compromised, meaning youre wheezing or experiencing other symptoms of shortness of breath. A respiratory infection at any age can worsen and lead to pneumonia, which can be a life-threatening condition.

    Other serious sinusitis symptoms that should be evaluated by a doctor include:

    • severe headache

    How To Treat A Summer Sinus Infection

    While summer sinus infections are not as common as winter sinusitis, that doesnt make getting one any less frustrating or painful. If you havent already, consider adding these precautions to your regimen for healthy sinuses.

    • Wash your hands after coming in from outside to remove the presence of pollen. If you have severe allergies, consider taking a shower or changing your clothes regularly.
    • Bring your favorite reusable water bottle with you on outings to help you stay hydrated out in the heat.
    • Check whether or not you sleep or frequently sit directly in the stream of an air conditioner. If so, try to adjust your furniture or the flow of air so that you are no longer in its direct path.
    • If you, someone you live with, or your office insists on keeping the A/C blasting 24/7, see whether or not you can invest in a humidifier.
    • Should your sinuses be especially sensitive to smoke, chlorine, or other specific irritants, do you best to avoid them during the summer months.
    • And of course, use your allergy medicine or nasal sprays as recommended by your general practitioner or your ENT.

    If these treatments and home remedies for summer sinus issues dont provide you with enough relief from summer sinus infections and/or chronic sinus infections, it may be time to consider a minimally-invasive surgical treatment such as balloon sinuplasty in Houston.

    Don’t Miss: Can Sinus Infection Cause Cough

    What Does A Cold Look Like

    When you have a cold, this means your body is fighting off a viral infection in your upper respiratory system. There are over a hundred types of viruses that can cause the common cold, which is also known scientifically as rhinitis. These illnesses are spread either by exchanging contaminated water droplets in the air or by touching surfaces where the virus is lingering.

    Most adults get between two to four mild colds per year, but certain factors such as smoking or a weakened immune system can increase your risk. The areas most affected by a cold are typically the nose, mouth, throat and lungs, but full body aches and other discomforts can also be experienced because of the virus. Cold symptoms often appear one to three days after exposure to the virus, and should resolve within 5 7 days.

    Symptoms of the common cold often include:

    • Runny nose
    • Fever

    How Long Will My Summer Cold Last And When Should I See My Doctor

    Summer Cold Or Covid-19? Know Symptoms And How Is It Different From Coronavirus| Covid Latest News

    Summer colds generally last about as long as any winter cold, which is on average around ten days in total, and symptoms tend to drastically improve around day seven. Children tend to get over a cold much quicker than adults, usually in less than a week, however, depending on factors like age and lifestyle, some adults may have to suffer through a cold for up to two weeks.

    The more you take care of yourself and make a point of adopting cold care remedies the quicker your cold will clear up, however, if your symptoms persist longer than two weeks its important that you see your doctor. If symptoms drastically increase, or you are at risk of your summer cold turning into a serious illness due to your age or other health conditions, you should book an appointment at our Algester Medical Centre or Acacia Ridge Family Practice as soon as possible.

    You May Like: Can Infected Teeth Cause Sinus Problems

    What Is A Cold

    The common cold is an upper respiratory illness that can be caused by a slew of viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Those viruses can include rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus , adenoviruses, and coronaviruses.

    Common cold viruses spread from infected people to others through the air and close contact, the CDC says. You can also pick up a cold by shaking hands with someone who is infected or touching a surface that has one of the viruses on it and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

    Symptoms of the common cold usually include:

    • Sore throat
    • Bad breath

    Summer Sinus Infection Survival Guide

    Unlike allergies, Sinus Infections aren’t typically associated with a specific time of year. With that said, there are plenty of things that can cause a sinus infection to occur in the summer months, including lingering allergy symptoms and viral infections . Here’s a quick guide to what causes sinus infections, what the symptoms are, and how they are treated.

    You May Like: Remedies To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection

    How Do You Treat The Common Cold

    Unfortunately, theres no cure for a cold. Instead, the CDC recommends getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids. You can take over-the-counter cold medications, but they wont speed up the course of your illness.

    Worth noting, per the CDC: Because the common cold is caused by viruses, antibioticswhich treat bacterial infectionswont help you get better.

    Of course, you want relief from your symptoms, too. Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, recommends taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and aches and a decongestant if you are uncomfortably stuffy. Honey is also excellent for coughs, she says. A steroid nasal spray like fluticasone can also help, she says.

    Ultimately for a cold, symptomatic treatment is best, Dr. Besser says.

    Do I Have Allergies A Sinus Infection Or A Summer Cold

    Do your sinuses turn summer from cheery to dreary? Do your blocked ...

    It could be a stuffy feeling, congestion, or even a sneeze that triggers that first question…

    Am I sick, or are these allergies?

    Its certainly not unreasonable to wonder – so many symptoms can overlap when it comes to allergies and illnesses. How can you tell these conditions apart? Most of the time, you can probably go through your symptoms and rule out one or the other.

    Don’t Miss: What To Take For Sinus Problems

    Popular Articles
    Related news