Going about your day-to-day life unable to breathe properly through your nose is uncomfortable. When you’ve been trying to get rid of congestion for days on end and see no relief, frustration is imminent. Although you may continue to blow your nose or continuously breathe through your mouth, there could be more going on than a simple cold. You may have developed a sinus infection.
The providers at AFC Urgent Care Burlington can diagnose and treat all symptoms. Sinus infections are annoying, and it’s best to receive treatment as soon as possible. Visit our center to have your symptoms looked at today.
Symptoms of a Sinus Infection
When you have cold symptoms that won’t quit, you may want to consider that it is no longer just a cold. Infection can set in and make your illness last much longer than a standard head cold. When you have a sinus infection, there are many symptoms that you may develop.
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Sinus pressure
- Bad breath
- Postnasal drip
While many of these symptoms can also be a cold, it is important to know that a sinus infection often stems from a previous illness. A cold, allergies and a weak immune system can easily result in a sinus infection. If you have been sick and are not seeing improvement, you may have an infection to deal with.
Causes of a Sinus Infection
When fluid fails to drain from the sinuses, germs thrive. This means that a cold that had you congested for a few days can lead to infection. An infection within your sinuses is typically viral but can be caused by bacteria sometimes, as well. When a sinus infection is viral, antibiotics will not do anything to solve the problem. Instead, another treatment is necessary.
Treating a Sinus Infection
You can try to treat your sinus infection at home by using a humidifier or sitting in the bathroom with the hot shower running. Nasal spray or other over-the-counter decongestants can also be beneficial. Many people find relief in a warm compress over the sinuses, too. Contact your doctor if ten days are past and you are still experiencing symptoms or have had a fever for more than three days.
Your doctor will then determine the necessary treatment for your case. If you cannot get better, your physician will likely prescribe an antibiotic. The antibiotic will remove the bacteria in your sinuses (and everywhere else) to get rid of the infection. Because antibiotics also take out good bacteria, doctors tend to limit prescribing unless absolutely necessary.
Treatment, whether at home or from your doctor, is vital to the healing process. Take the time to take care of yourself.
