Acute sinus infections always begin as cold

Have a cold that just won't go away or is getting worse? Chances are your cold has developed into a sinus infection - a common problem this time of year, says Alan Wild, M.D., assistant professor of otolaryngology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

"Most colds resolve without progressing to a sinus infection," Wild said. "However, acute sinus infections - those that last less than two weeks - almost always begin as a cold."

Telling the difference between the two illnesses can be difficult because they share many symptoms, such as headaches, congestion and discolored nasal drainage. However, if you experience a fever, persistent or worsening symptoms that last longer than seven days, thick nasal mucus or dental pain, you have most likely developed a sinus infection, Wild warns.

To keep a cold from turning into to a sinus infection, Wild recommends using saline nasal rinses such as a nettie pot or NeilMed Sinus Rinse™, as well as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Decongestants, such as Sudafed, Mucinex and Vick's Vapor Rub, cool mist vaporizers or even sitting in a steamy shower also may help. Of course there's no substitution for resting and staying well hydrated.

Antibiotics are effective only when the sinus infection is caused by a bacterial infection - something that only can be determined by a physician. Wild recommends starting with over-the-counter treatments before talking to your doctor about antibiotics.

People who experience frequent sinus infections, have an infection that lasts more than two weeks or have been diagnosed with abnormal nasal anatomy, such as a deviated septum or polyps, should see an otolaryngologist and have sinus imagining - Xrays or CT scan.

"Imaging studies are a must to prove the diagnosis of sinus problems like an infection or polyps. If the diagnosis is made, I usually prescribe antibiotics for four to six weeks, combined with oral steroid medications and possibly a nasal steroid spray for the patient. Many times, I also do allergy testing in an attempt to identify a correctable cause for the infections," Wild said.

"Following initial treatment and allergy testing, a repeat CT scan is often done. If the patient's symptoms are not responsive to medication or he or she continues to have an abnormal sinus scan, then the next step is usually sinus surgery."

The best sinus infection, though, is the one you never get in the first place. To keep a sinus infection at bay, Wild offers these five tips:

• Avoid contact with people who have colds.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Do not smoke.
• Treat your cold symptoms with nasal rinses and nettie pots.
• Create a healthy environment by controlling the dust, mold and other allergens in your home and use a cool mist humidifier during the cold and dry winter months.