Resolved question:
Sinus infection, or just a bad cold?
Hello, for 5 days now, I've had some really bad cold/flu symptoms. These include Severe headaches that are persistent, sore throat, continually stuffed nose/can't breathe, and coughing up tons of thick green phlegm. I'm also sweating in my sleep.
However, I have no chills, no vomiting, and no diarreah, or even queasiness. My appetite comes and goes, but is mostly ok, though I can't taste anything I eat.
Ive missed 3 days of work so far, and I don't seem to be getting any better. The headaches especially are killing me.
Any ideas what this might be? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Thank you for asking your query. 1.Steam inhalation through mouth and nose (alternating) twice daily. 2.Tylenol / other over the counter pain killer medications for the headache two-three times a day 3.Saline gargle in warm water twice daily. Since you are having the symptoms for more that 48 hours, we need to consider the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection too. These symptoms are not suggestive of sinusitis/sinus infection, but if there is a bacterial infection, there could be a sinus infection at a later stage. Please follow the above steps and give some more time for your body to fight of the viral infection. But even after 2 more days, if the symptoms are persisting or worsening, you need to visit a Doctor. May be you will need to take some antibiotics then after consulting a Doctor. Please feel free to ask followup questions via this email itself
The symptoms you have described are suggestive of a 'flu' or anUpper Respiratory Tract infection caused by a respiratory virus. Its difficult (and often not needed) to pinpoint which virus has caused the illness. For now I would recommend you the following :
Hope this helps. Thank you.