Things can get tricky when you feel icky

When you think of "cold season," do you envision a crackling fire and hot chocolate or piles of used tissues and empty cough drop wrappers? When you don't feel well, it can be hard to tell if it's just a cold that will pass or if you're facing a sinus infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colds are the leading cause for missed days of work and school in the United States. A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and can be caused by one of nearly 200 different viruses, with rhinovirus being the most common.

"Common colds usually improve on their own in less than 10 days," said Justin Moy, MD, an otolaryngologist (ENT) with North Florida Surgeons. "The major difference is that a common cold is viral and a sinus infection is bacterial."

Lasting anywhere from two to 12 weeks, sinus infections affect nearly 35 million Americans at least once a year. The sinuses are small, air-filled cavities located in the skull. Normal sinuses contain healthy bacteria, but when the opening to a sinus becomes blocked, causing mucus to build up, bacteria can grow unchecked in the sinuses and cause an infection.

Stopping the sniffles

Colds

"Unfortunately, a cold just has to run its course," said Dr. Moy. "You can mask the symptoms but there is no true 'cure' for a cold. It's normal for a patient to get at least two colds a year."

Over-the-counter remedies to help control symptoms include:

• Taking ibuprofen like Advil ®
• Rinsing nasal cavity with saline solution, with sterile water, using neti pot
• Taking cough suppressants
• Using sore throat lozenges
• Taking guaifenesin like Mucinex ® or Robitussin ®

"Antibiotics prescribed by a doctor will only help if it is a sinus infection. Because colds are viral, antibiotics, which are for bacterial infections, don't help," said Dr. Moy. "It's OK to wait at least 10 to 14 days to see a primary care practitioner with cold symptoms."

Allergies

According to Dr. Bush, most people with allergies will benefit greatly from just using over-the-counter medicines like Zyrtec®, Allegra® and Claritin®. He also recommends nasal sprays like Flonase® and Nasonex ®.

"If a patient is not getting better after using over-the-counter medicines for allergies, he or she should consider seeing an ENT who can determine the next step to take," said Dr. Bush.

Sinus Infections

There are two key factors to determine when a cold (a viral infection) has progressed to a sinus infection (a bacterial infection).

1. 10 days of symptoms that are not improving at all can be a sign of a sinus infection. The likelihood of a bacterial infection in the first few days of a cold is very unlikely.
2. "Second worsening" -- When symptoms start to improve and then get significantly worse again, this can also be a sign of a bacterial infection.

"These are examples of when it is time to see a practitioner," said Dr. Bush. "At first, your primary care physician can help by prescribing antibiotics. If you have completed two to three rounds of antibiotics without success, the issue lasts more than three months or you are getting a sinus infection more than four times a year, it's time to see an ear, nose and throat specialist."

Similar symptoms:

• Scratchy throat? Check.
• Sneezing? Check.
• Pressure? Check.

With so many similar symptoms, these differentiating factors can help determine whether you are facing a cold, allergies or a sinus infection.

"My best advice to prevent a common cold comes down to hand washing and basic hygiene," said Dr. Bush. He advises patients to have patience when it comes to the above symptoms in the infographic. "Many people think they have a sinus infection after just a few days – wait it out and don't rush to a diagnosis."

Your primary care physician is your first stop when you're not feeling well. To find the right one for you, call 904.202.4YOU (4968) or fill out the appointment request form.