You have a runny nose. Your head hurts. You feel like you’ll never breathe through your nose again. These sensations are well-known to anyone who has ever had a sinus infection. They may also be familiar to anyone who has ever caught a cold. Sinus infections and common colds cause many of the same symptoms, so much so that you may have a hard time distinguishing between the two.

These conditions require different treatment methods, so knowing their differences is important. In this article, we will outline some of these illnesses' shared characteristics and symptoms. We will also dive into the significant differences between them. Looking for more information? Book an online doctor visit on Sesame to talk to a licensed health care provider right away. During these convenient telehealth appointments, you can discuss your symptoms and possible treatment options from the comfort of your home.

About Sinus Infections

Sinus infections—also known as sinusitis—are infections of the air-filled cavities in the skull behind the nose, cheekbones, and forehead. The mucosa is a soft, thin tissue that lines these cavities. Sinus infections occur when a pathogen—usually a virus—infects these cavities. This infection causes inflammation, swelling, and an increase in mucus production. These effects lead to the common symptoms of a sinus infection.

A viral infection usually causes sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is a relatively short-lived, one-time infection of the sinuses caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. A reaction to allergens (allergic rhinitis) can also be the cause of these infections. Acute sinus infections will usually go away within a few days with the help of medication and home remedies.

Chronic sinusitis is a persistent inflammation of the sinuses. Chronic sinus infections can result from an infection, nasal polyps (abnormal growths in the nasal passages), a deviated septum, or other underlying health issues brought on by a weakened immune system.

About Common Colds

Common colds are the most prevalent form of upper respiratory infection. The upper respiratory system comprises your sinuses, throat, airways, and lungs. When these areas are infected with a virus or bacteria, they may become inflamed.

Colds are usually passed through microscopic droplets expelled when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Inhaling these droplets can result in the infection passing to you. The rhinovirus is the most common type of cold virus transmitted between humans.

While colds do not directly cause sinus infections, the blockage and mucus buildup caused by a cold can become breeding grounds for bacteria. This can, in turn, lead to bacterial sinus infections (bacterial sinusitis).

Common Symptoms

Sinus infections and the common cold cause very similar symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• Runny nose (also known as nasal discharge or rhinitis)
  
• Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
  
• Post-nasal drip
  
• Sinus pressure or facial pressure
  
• Sore throat
  
• Decreased sense of smell
  
• Low-grade fever
  
  

In addition to the symptoms listed above, sinus infections cause some unique symptoms compared to those caused by a common cold. This is generally due to the inflammation and swelling in the sinus cavities in the skull.

Symptoms unique to a sinus infection include:

• Bad breath
  
• Facial pain
  
• Upper jaw pain
  
• Toothache
  
  

Common colds also cause symptoms that differentiate them from sinus infections. This may be due to an infection in multiple parts of the upper respiratory system.

Symptoms unique to a cold include:

• Coughing
  
• Body aches
  
• Sneezing
  
  

When experiencing a common cold, children may experience a higher-grade fever than adults.

You should speak to a health care provider if you experience any of the symptoms above, along with:

• High fever (over 103 degrees Fahrenheit)
  
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
  
• Severe coughing or coughing up blood
  
• Dizziness
  
• Vomiting
  
  

Sinus Infection vs. Common Cold

If you are coughing, sneezing, or experiencing general body aches, you likely have a common cold instead of a sinus infection. Sinus infections cause facial pain, but these symptoms rarely occur below the neck.

If you are experiencing severe headaches, thick mucus production, abnormal bad breath, and upper jaw or tooth pain, you are likely dealing with a sinus infection. Inflammation of the sinus cavities in the skull is what causes facial pain and headaches.

Additionally, sinus infections tend to last longer than common colds. A sinus infection lasts ten or more days, while a common cold usually lasts only seven. If you are experiencing symptoms for longer than seven to ten days, you should see a primary care provider to diagnose your condition. Sinus infections that last longer than ten days are usually bacterial or fungal infections that require specific medical treatment.

Sinus Infection and Common Cold Treatment

If a virus has caused your sinus infection, the treatment options for these two illnesses are the same. A sinus infection only requires alternative therapy when bacteria or fungi have caused the condition.

You should drink plenty of fluids for both sinus infections and common colds to help thin your mucus. You can also use a Neti Pot with sanitized saltwater to irrigate the nasal passages and reduce congestion.

Viral sinus infections and colds will go away on their own in time. In addition to rest and the home remedies detailed above, use over-the-counter medications to reduce your symptoms.

Common OTC medications used for the treatment of both sinus infections and common colds include:

Saline nasal spray: Over-the-counter nasal sprays (like Sinex) are widely available at most pharmacies. These sprays rinse and clean the nasal passages, which can reduce symptoms.

Steroid nasal sprays: Nasal sprays containing the steroid fluticasone (Flonase) can help reduce inflammation caused by sinus infections. Soothing inflammation can reduce symptoms of facial pain, headaches, and congestion.

Decongestants: Decongestant medications containing pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed) are available over the counter as nasal sprays, oral liquids, or tablets. Decongestants clear up the mucus blockage in the nasal passages, reducing facial pressure and nasal discharge symptoms. You should only use a nasal decongestant for a few days, as repeated use can cause more severe congestion.

OTC Pain Relievers: Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help minimize body aches, sinus pain, and fever symptoms caused by these conditions. These drugs will not help clear up a runny or stuffy nose but will help with discomfort caused by an upper respiratory viral infection.

If you experience sinus infections caused by allergies, you can use an antihistamine nasal spray or oral tablet to treat the underlying condition. Some antihistamines will actually help minimize congestion and nasal discharge. By lessening allergy symptoms, antihistamine drugs will also help keep sinus infection symptoms from worsening.

If a common cold is causing you to cough, you may use OTC cough medicine (usually syrup) to prevent this uncomfortable symptom. OTC cough medicine won’t treat the underlying condition but can reduce coughing symptoms. Be sure to check the active ingredients of these medications if you are taking another form of pain reliever or antihistamine. Many of these drugs contain similar ingredients. Using too much of one ingredient can cause serious adverse side effects. In addition, you should not give cough medicine to children younger than 6. These drugs may cause serious side effects in young children.

Common colds and sinus infections can be indistinguishable unless you know what specific symptoms to look for. Looking for more information or care? Book a visit with an online doctor for a sinus infection on Sesame to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with a licensed health care provider. Don’t wait to treat a common cold or sinus infection. Book a visit now to start feeling better right away.

Sources:

• Sinusitis. Amanda S. Battisti, Pranav Modi, Jon Pangia. (March 2, 2023). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  
• Sinus infections. Francesca Jaume, Meritxell Valls-Mateus, Joaquim Mullol. (August 2020). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  
• The Common Cold. Diane E. Pappas. (July 18, 2017). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  

Sesame content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical concern, it is critical to seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions. If you are facing a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately.

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