Cold vs Sinus Infection?

I had a cold 2 weeks ago- I killed it off with Echinacea, raw garlic, vitamin c.  I was able to cut it down to 2 days. 

It’s back.

It’s the same symptoms but also I have popping ears and pressure on my sinus passages.  I’m now on garlic pills, Echinacea, vitamin c, zinc.  Doesn’t seem to be doing too much.

Is this a cold or a sinus infection?  Do you always need antibiotics for a sinus infection?  I’m back in the states so I could go see my GP here.

I’m worried about flying on Saturday back to the uk….

That would be a sinus infection, I am afraid.  If your head feels heavy, your ears are popping, and you feel discomfort or pain if you gently press on your cheekbones (under your eyes), you have a sinus infection.  I currently have one now and if you don't get it treated, it can turn into pneumonia or brochitis.  Go see your GP!  I find that Zithromax does the trick.  It is a strong antibiotic that only has a five day ccurse of treatment.

Good luck and feel better soon!

argh!!! just called US GP.  can't see my til wednesday.  hopefully he can give me something that'll kill all the little buggers before my sat flight.

any other home remedies?  i feels sooooo  much better in the shower... the heat and steam and the ouchless nose blowing.

Does your GP have an urgent care that they are affliated with?  That is what I had to do yesterday.  My co-pay was the same as when I went to my regular GP.

As for home stuff, all you can do is treat the congestion.  You won't get much relief until the antibiotics kill the bacteria that causes the congestion.  But, here are some pointers:

-do not drink milk and abstain from dairy (dairy creates more mucus)
-buy some Afrin severe congestion nose spray.  Try to use it only at night because it will open up the passageways in your nose so you can sleep.
-Buy a saline nose spray for during the day (I use one called 4Way which has menthol in it).  It will keep the nasal passages some what open and moisturized (otherwise, they swell and contribute further to congestion)
-At the pharmacy, there is this stuff called Shower Steamers.  It contains menthol and it will help keep nasal passages open for a bit longer.
-drink LOADS of water as it helps break up mucus.
-Take regular sudafed as it helps break up some of the severe congestion and cut down on the ear popping.

Sad how much of a pro I am at this, but, I have been getting sinus infections once a year for about 6 years. 

I hope that helps!  Feel better!

I get sinus infections rather a lot.  Less - knock on wood - since I started irrigating my nasal passages every other day and three times a day when I first develop another bout of sinusitis.

The hallmarks of an infection in the sinuses are:  a lowgrade fever and green or yellow mucus when you blow.

Otherwise, it's probably sinusitis, which can be rather horrible.  Welcome to my world!  I had it chronically the entire third trimster of my pregnancy with my second daughter and wound up on 3 courses of ABs when it went into infection.

IRRIGATE!

Go to the chemist and ask for SteriMar.  Directions for irrigating are on there.  Do it.  Religiously.  3x/day.

Use a decongestant.

If you're still in pain three days later, or if you develop a low-grade fever or green or yellow mucus when you blow your nose or cough, see the GP asap.

I had a sinus infection that went into my ears, throat AND chest when I blew it off this past February.  NOT nice and I had to take some strong ABs because stuff like amoxycillin doesn't work on mine anymore. 

It doesn't sound as if it is clearly a sinus infection.  My ears clog and pop all the time now that I am in the UK when I am sick, but I have never had a sinus infection.  And it drives me insane.  It only happened once in the U.S., at boot camp, otherwise known as the sickest place on earth.  

Have you had sinus infections before?  Often people have recurring sinus infections throughout life because they naturally have bad drainage.  As expat said, if you do start getting them, regular irrigation is key.

Apparently, they have moved away from the green/yellow mucus is a sign of infection.  But smelly mucus, still bad.

You really need to try some decongestants and see if that has an affect.  Generally, regular colds will respond to decongestants, sinus infections will not.  

It is hard to tell the difference between the two, there is no real test, but most doctors recommend seeing someone if there is no change after 1-2 weeks.  

Since it is mainly guessing whether it is an infection, prescribing antibiotics can do more harm than good with causing resistant bacteria.  

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/student_health/ailments/sinus.html

Hi Meggles,

So sorry about that. I used to get sinus infections ALL the time..The allergies are so bad here in Austin they'd always lead to that for me. One thing that was recommended to me that has helped is called the Neti or Netti pot..You can google it. Kind of weird but it really helps..The other thing that has helped me so much with this is acupunture. I never knew it could help with this but someone recommended it to me and when I've felt like I was getting sick I've had treatments which have made me much better. Plus taking the herbs. I know both of these are kind of unconventional, but thought I'd share since
I used to get this so often. Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

the decongentants haven't done much... i've been taking sudafed every 4 hours.  drinking tea hourly & water in between.

i'm glad that my dr can't see me til wed.  if i start getting better, i'll cancel the appointment.  if not, i'll go.

oh- and i also had killer cramps this morning.  what a lovely way to wake up.

Ugh.  Sorry to hear that your trip has been interrupted.  I hope you feel better soon.  That is probably the best course.  That way you can get something.  Sadly, if it is caused by a virus the antibiotics won't help of course.  BAH!!  Stupid illness. 

The best decongestant I ever had was at boot camp.  Man, I could feel my whole body dehydrating, but I have no idea what it was.  I just remember that I cried myself to sleep due to the pain in my ears, had the most disgusting snot, and developed viral pink eye.  At least no one would touch my bed. 
 

I had a horrid headache, and popping ears, and slightly green goop and it still wasn't deemed a full on infection here in the UK. They are, and rightfully so to a degree, trying to cut back on the over-prescription of antibiotics. I was told to wait and see a bit longer and sure enough, it cleared out.

Lucky you!  With me, they NEVER clear out but turn into something much worse.  I think it is because I am asthmatic too.  Stupid lungs!

I swear by my netti pot, book!  That is the BEST purchase I ever made and dirt cheap!  My mom and dad both have horrible problems with sinuses, always have.  They went a step further and invested in pulsating irrigation systems and say these have changed their lives!  They're down to just two infections or so a year.

My mom's ENT said to spray with SteriMar morning and night during 'normal' times and irrigate every other day.  Up to 3x/day during times of sinusitis.  It works for us, the sinus family!

I throw in the towel and see the GP when I get that low grade fever.

Like I said, I blew that off this past Feb. and had to go emergency Sat. appointment and by then I was infected all over, and I could just tell - staggering fatigue, trouble breathing, clogged ears, etc.

Get two cans of SteriMar and start irrigating whilst you source a netti pot.

I totally believe it!!  My mom has the worst allergies, well not like epi-pen allergies, but hayfever of anyone I know and she refuses to try anything that might actually make a difference other than drugs.  It drives me up a wall. 

I need to find me a netti pot! 

can i get steriMar in the US?