Advanced Urgent Medical Care Tips: Is it a Cold or Sinus Infection?
Advanced Urgent Medical Care Tips: Is it a Cold or Sinus Infection?
Advanced Urgent Medical Care Tips: Is it a Cold or Sinus Infection?
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Home Page > Health > Diseases and Conditions > Advanced Urgent Medical Care Tips: Is it a Cold or Sinus Infection?
Advanced Urgent Medical Care Tips: Is it a Cold or Sinus Infection?
Posted: Aug 12, 2010 |Comments: 0
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Is it a cold or sinus infection? Upper respiratory infections, which is another name for the common cold is still one of the most common ailments that bring sufferers to the doctor. Doctors are often faced with the dilemma of distinguishing between a cold and sinus infection, or sinusitis. A cold usually starts with discomfort in the upper part of the respiratory tract; that is, the nose and throat. There are various cold viruses responsible for causing this illness. Symptoms of congestion, excess mucus production, fatigue and scratchiness or irritation in the throat may seem to appear out of nowhere and gradually worsen over the next couple of days. There may be associated watery eyes, loss of taste or smell and cough but minimal or no fever.
It is common for colds to affect the bronchial airways and cause inflammation and varying degrees of symptoms in the lower respiratory tract. Cough often worsens and may be persistent with or without production of mucus. It is a common myth that discolored mucus is a sign of a bacterial infection. In reality, discolored mucus can be the result of viral or bacterial infections. Testing for the cause of this illness is not usually recommended because of the self-limiting nature of the illness and the expense and length of time to obtain results.
Colds usually last 7-10 days with or without treatment. Nasal and throat congestion resolve relatively quickly but the cough may last several weeks. Treatment is directed to alleviation of targeted symptoms. It is recommended to treat specific symptoms such as headache or body aches with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil or Aleve. Tylenol is another good choice. These medications should be taken only as directed on the packaging and not combined with alcohol to avoid chance of liver toxicity. There are several over-the-counter decongestants usually containing pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed. Avoid this medication if you have high blood pressure or heart palpitations or an enlarged prostate. Guaifenisin is a good choice to thin mucus to promote drainage. This medication may be sold separately or in combination with dextromethorphan, a common cough suppressant. Saline irrigation is an excellent and safe method of promoting drainage of mucus and clearing allergans and pollutants.
When drainage is sluggish due to swelling of mucus membranes or other anatomical factors, a sinus infection or sinusitis may develop. Sinus infections are often over- diagnosed. People who have allergies or who smoke are at increased risk of sinusitis. Sinusitis starts from a prior illness such as a cold or allergies and therefore takes a week or two to develop. Acute infections are often associated with fever, thick, copious, discolored nasal discharge and severe pain in the sinuses around the nose or forehead, headache and nausea. Associated ear congestion and pain is often present. Presumptive diagnosis is made on physical examination but definitive diagnosis is made by x-rays or CT (or MRI) scan of the sinuses. Treatment is antibiotics combined with decongestants and saline irrigation. Chronic sinusitis may ensue in susceptible people with persistent low-grade infections or partially treated acute infections. Chronic infections may last for months or longer and require prolonged antibiotic treatment.
In summary, there are several effective over-the-counter cold remedies along with rest and plenty of fluids for the treatment of most colds. In time this most common respiratory illness will usually resolve without complications but the cough may be persistent. Unfortunately, there is still no cure for the common cold and antibiotics neither treat colds nor prevent a secondary bacterial infection. However, if your cold has not improved in 7-10 days or worse symptoms develop, see a doctor to be evaluated for a secondary infection such as sinusitis, which requires an antibiotic.
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Leslie Pickens -
About the Author:
Leslie R. Pickens. M.D. is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and owner of Advanced Urgent Medical Care, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia. www.AdvancedUrgentMedicalCare.com
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