Sinusitis is the medical term for a sinus infection, which shares many similarities with a common cold. Both make you experience blocked sinuses, yet sinusitis is slightly more serious than a cold. It demands more attention and can cause much pain, so it helps to know when you have it instead of a simple cold. 

On that note, how do you tell if you have a cold or sinusitis? 

While it may not be easy, here are some things to keep an eye on: 

Do you feel lots of pressure and pain in your face?

A sinus infection inflames your sinuses, which can cause a lot of pressure and pain throughout your face. You’ll feel soreness around your nose, under your eyes, and forehead. There’s no way to explain it other than it feels like your face is getting heavier and your sinuses are about to burst. 

Thankfully, that’s not what will happen – but it doesn’t detract from the pain. A cold is unlikely to make you feel this bad as it tends only to make your nose feel stuffy. You also get more of a runny nose during the day with a cold, while sinusitis is all about the feeling of pressure on your face. 

Have you had a cold for the last few days?

Ironically, the best way to tell if you have sinusitis is by judging whether or not you’ve had a cold. The two issues are similar, but did you know colds are the leading cause of sinusitis? A cold will block your sinuses, often leading to further infection and pain. 

Moreover, colds typically start mild, worsen, and then taper off as you get better. So, if you had a cold and got over the worst of it, only to exhibit the sinusitis symptoms, there’s a strong chance you now have a sinus infection. 

What should you do if you have a sinus infection?

Even if you suspect this problem, the best action is to talk to a medical professional. Visit your doctor if you can, or look for telehealth sinus infection services for a video call. Medical professionals can listen to your symptoms and provide quick visual tests to determine if you have a sinus infection. If you do, then they’ll offer the best course of treatment. 

A lot of the time, treating a sinus infection is a case of letting it subside. You’ll have to take pain medication if it gets too much to bear, or you can use a hot/cold compress on your face. Some people prefer a cold to ease swelling, while others say a warm one will loosen mucus in your sinuses and ease the pressure. Regardless, sinus infections rarely need additional treatment – but if yours is especially bad, it might require topical decongestants or antibiotics. 

Knowing if you have a sinus infection helps you understand what you’re dealing with and how to deal with it. Thankfully, it’s not usually a serious condition – but you should always consult a medical professional if your symptoms don’t subside within a week.