It’s really common to have cold symptoms. But not every stuffy nose or splitting headache is a result of a rhinovirus. And when you’re fighting something other than a normal rhinovirus, you may have to speak with your doctor about identifying the correct treatment.
The following warning signs could mean you’re coping with something that’s more than a common cold, even if the symptoms seem similar.
Sign #1: Lingering Symptoms
A typical cold (caused by a rhinovirus) is normally rather fast-acting. That’s because your immune system will typically be capable of eliminating those particular intruders promptly. Consequently, colds normally last somewhere around 3 to 7 days. It’s possible that you may experience a particularly stubborn cold that lasts somewhere around two weeks.
As a result, symptoms that persist for more than two weeks, even at moderate levels, may be a sign that something else is wrong. In many instances, lingering symptoms could point to something like a sinus infection (also called sinusitis).
Sign #2: You Have a Sinus Headache
The type of headache you get from a cold and one you get from a sinus infection are very different. And that difference usually depends on location. A sinus infection will bring about a “full” feeling behind your nose and eyes, often, a very painful feeling. A cold-related headache will likely be more generalized and may not have any feelings of pressure related to it.
So if you feel that pressure and fullness behind your eyes, it’s likely you might be fighting a sinus infection, and that means you may need to come in and see us.
Sign #3: You’re Symptoms Keep Coming Back
A cold will come and go. You’re more likely to catch a cold during a “cold season” like when school begins. But seasonal infections during known cold seasons are not the same as “chronic” infections.
If you find yourself sneezing every spring right around the same week in April or every time you’re around animals, this could indicate an allergy. Likewise, if you’re sneezing for three weeks without respite, you need to see a doctor to see if they can help with symptoms and make sure it’s not an infection.
Sign #4: Your Throat is Sore
If you’re experiencing a sore throat, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a severe infection as sore throats are a rather common cold symptom. But it’s most likely something more like strep or a sinus infection if you have a prolonged or frequently returning sore throat. A cold and a sinus infection both cause sore throats due to postnasal drip.
When your nose and sinuses are filled with fluid, it has to find a place to drain and your throat is the easiest place for it to go. Frequently, you’ll feel a tickle down your throat. Your throat will then become irritated by the fluid and the coughing it causes. Having a sore throat for a few days could be an indication of a cold, but a longer presentation could be a sign of something else (either a sinus infection or the result of another virus).
Sign #5: Your Stuffed up Nose Continues After Your Other Symptoms Are Gone
Sinus infections can develop during your cold or other respiratory infection. A second infection will begin when fluid gets trapped in your sinuses. So if that dull ache in your sinuses continues, but your sneezing has ended, this could be a sign that such a secondary infection has occurred.
Get to The Bottom of Your Symptoms
Once you’ve determined you don’t have a cold, the next step is going to be figuring out what is causing your symptoms. It’s quite likely that you have a sinus infection (sinusitis) and that’s something your doctor can treat. In other words, if you don’t have a cold, you should make an appointment. Give us a call.