Take this Cold Or Sinus Infection Quiz to find out. We update the quiz regularly and it’s the most accurate among the other quizzes.
Every time, that pesky cold appears out of nowhere. Even though you’re miserable, you have to carry on with your daily responsibilities, even though you know the cold isn’t serious.
But how do you tell if your runny nose, headache, and persistent cough are symptoms of a sinus infection? While many of the symptoms of both illnesses overlap, there are some telltale signs that can help you tell the difference.
Rhinologist Troy Woodard, MD, describes these illnesses and shares four questions to ask yourself to determine which one you have, as well as treatment tips. Also, you must try to play this Cold Or Sinus Infection Quiz.
What does it look like to have a cold?
A cold is caused by a virus that is active in your upper respiratory system (nose, mouth, throat and lungs). Adults typically get two to four colds per year, with symptoms such as:
- Nosebleed.
- Nose congestion.
- Sneezing.
- Cough.
- Throat discomfort.
- Congestion in the chest.
- Eyes that are wet.
- What causes a sinus infection?
- Sinus infections can develop from colds, but not all sinus infections are viral. Sinus infections can also be caused by bacteria or allergies.
Cold Or Sinus Infection Quiz
“A sinus infection happens when the sinus lining becomes inflamed, which prevents the sinuses from draining,” he explains. “The trapped mucous serves as a breeding ground for bacteria, potentially leading to a sinus infection.”
Conditions that may increase your chances of getting a sinus infection include:
- Allergies.
- Polyps in the nose (small growths occurring in your nasal lining).
- Immune deficiencies (conditions that impact how well your immune system works).
- How to Tell the Difference Between a Sinus Infection and a Cold
- When it comes to determining whether you have a sinus infection or a cold, it can be difficult. Dr. Woodard suggests that you consider the following questions to distinguish between the two:
- How long have you been experiencing symptoms? Cold symptoms usually peak after three to five days and then gradually improve over the next week. A sinus infection, on the other hand, can last for a long time. If you have a runny nose, stuffy nose, or sinus pressure for more than 10 days, you may have an infection.
- Do you suffer from sinus pressure? You may have a sinus infection if you have persistent facial pain, pressure, or tenderness.
- What is the color of your discharge? You most likely have a cold if you have clear mucous. If you have yellow or green mucous, you most likely have a sinus infection.
- Do you suffer from bad breath? If your breath makes you want to chew gum, you may have a sinus infection.
- Other signs of a sinus infection include a loss of smell and taste, a cough, congestion, fever, headache, fatigue, and aches in your upper jaw and teeth.
About the quiz
Begin treating your symptoms as soon as possible.
Because viruses cannot be cured, the primary goal of cold treatment is to alleviate symptoms.
“It’s important to remember that taking an antibiotic for a cold or another virus won’t make you feel better any faster,” says Dr. Woodard. “Taking an antibiotic unnecessarily can actually cause more harm than good.”
Antibiotic overuse can result in antibiotic resistance, making subsequent infections more difficult to treat.
“Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and rinse out your sinuses with saline irrigation to help thin mucous and flush it from your nasal cavity,” he advises.
When a sinus infection refuses to go away
While sinus infections can sometimes resolve on their own, antibiotics can sometimes shorten their duration.
If your symptoms do not improve within 10 days, or if you have persistent fevers, facial swelling, or neck stiffness, consult your doctor. As with colds, make sure you get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Hydration and nasal irrigation can help to alleviate sinus infection symptoms.
For more personality and trivia quizzes check this: Is It Love Or Lust Quiz
