Flu season comes once a year, but you can catch a cold or sinus infection anytime. The symptoms can all appear somewhat similar, though, especially in mild cases. How do you know when your symptoms are likely to pass or when to see a specialist?
In this post, we’ll explore the differences between a sinus infection, a flu, and a common cold, so you can better understand your symptoms.
Sinus Infection
Chronic sinus infections are highly common, affecting around 35 million Americans each year (American Academy of Otolaryngology). Also known as sinusitis, this condition stems from inflammation in the tissues that surround your sinuses.
Your sinuses are air pockets in your skull that produce mucus to catch bacteria, dirt, and pollutants from entering your body. They connect to your nasal passageway through a set of structures called the osteomeatal complex. This complex allows for proper drainage, so you don’t experience a buildup of mucus.
A sinus infection causes bacteria to accumulate in the sinuses, leading to symptoms like:
Stuffiness
A blocked nose
Yellow, green, or white nasal discharge
Pressure in your face that worsens when you bend forward
A headache
Pain in your teeth
Fever
Bad breath
Coughing
A sense of fullness in your face and/or ears
You can develop a sinus infection by itself, but one of the leading causes is the common cold. Because of this, so many people don’t realize that their cold has actually created an additional condition that may require treatment.
Our ENT services can help you figure out exactly what’s causing your sinus pain and get you on the road to healing as soon as possible.
The Flu
The cold and flu share many symptoms, but they are more severe with influenza. The most common symptoms of the flu include:
High fever for several days
Nausea and vomiting, possibly diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Headache
Muscle aches
Chills throughout the body
Excessive fatigue
You are less likely to experience face tenderness and pain in the face with a flu or cold. Influenza also has less coughing and sneezing than the common cold.
Common Cold
There are 200 viruses that can cause a common cold. The resulting infection can cause symptoms such as headaches, chills, coughing, sneezing, sniffling, and nausea. Colds can also cause low-grade fevers and post-nasal drip (mucus running down the back of the throat).
People are more likely to notice similar symptoms between a sinus infection and cold than the flu; the cold can cause sinus tissues to become inflamed, leading to blockage. The flu, however, doesn’t tend to cause sinusitis as frequently. It’s more likely to cause a lung infection.
Similarities
A cold or flu can mimic or even cause symptoms of a sinus infection. You might have a blocked or runny nose, experience post-nasal drip, headache, and have a cough. The facial pain that sinusitis causes can also resemble a headache so much that you mistake it for one.
Differences
The greatest difference between sinusitis, a cold, and the flu is the duration of symptoms. The flu lasts one to two weeks, and colds persist for an average of three to seven days. Sinus infections can go on much longer.
An acute sinus infection can last anywhere from eight to 10 days. Chronic sinusitis can go on much longer, and it often worsens without medical treatment.
Also, flus and colds can cause body aches, muscle pain, and chills, which are not symptoms of a sinus infection.
In terms of treatment, people who don’t have underlying medical conditions tend to recover from the cold and flu on their own. Over-the-counter medicines and pain relievers can be helpful until symptoms resolve.
Sinus infections can go away on their own, but more often than not, they require prescription antibiotics.
Contact OAT Today
We are always here to help you at OAT! If you’re experiencing any pain with your nose or sinuses, don’t delay another day of care. Our physicians are here to listen and help you find the right treatment for rapid relief.
Please click here to schedule an appointment at our Nashville ENT practice.
