You feel run down, have a low-grade fever, post-nasal drip, and a sore throat. Common cold or sinus infection?  A cold can actually morph into a sinus infection.  If your stuffy nose and headache last for more than two weeks, it may be more serious than a cold and may be worth looking into.

Common Cold Symptoms

The common cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. With a cold, there's a cluster of symptoms including:

• A run-down feeling
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Runny nose with clear discharge
• Sneezing
• Post nasal drip (nasal fluid dripping down the back of the throat)
• Fever is uncommon with colds in adults but can be seen in children

Colds may be accompanied by a cough and headache and last three to seven days with or without any treatment.

Cold symptoms usually build slowly over the course of a day or two, peak by days three or four, then slowly improve around the fifth or seventh day.

The Impact of Sinusitis

An estimated 31 million Americans develop sinusitis each year, leading to 18 million physician visits and $5.8 billion in overall health expenditures according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

About Sinusitus

There are three types of sinusitis:

• Acute sinusitis usually lasts less than four weeks.
• Chronic sinusitis brings on symptoms that last more than 12 weeks.    
• A third type of sinusitis is the recurrent infections of the sinuses, often four or more bouts of acute sinusitis a year, usually from viruses or bacteria.

Sinusitis occurs when drains in the sinus cavities – hollow areas behind the forehead and cheeks – become blocked due to inflammation caused by a cold or allergies. The blockage prevents mucous from draining normally, leading to infection.

Sinusitis can last for months, or even years, if not properly treated. A physician will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and patients may also use decongestants to relieve stuffiness.

Symptoms of a Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)

Sinusitis simply means inflammation of the sinuses.

Early on, the symptoms of colds and sinusitis are similabut if symptoms are worsening after 3-5 days, or if they are present for more than 7 to 10 days, then sinusitis is the likely culprit.

Whether it's caused by a cold, an infection or allergies, any swelling of the sinuses can produce symptoms such as:

• Pressure or pain behind the eyes or cheeks
• Congestion
• Pain in the top teeth, facial pain
  
• Headache
• Foul tasting post nasal drip
• Green or yellow nasal drainage
• Fatigue
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Decreased sense of smell 
• Light fever

Diagnosing Sinusitus

An allergist/immunologist is the best-qualified medical professional to diagnose and treat underlying allergies that contribute to sinusitis.