Stuffy nose, runny nose, fever—anyone experiencing these symptoms often assumes “it’s definitely a cold”, then goes to buy medicine to take on their own. However, they may find that the symptoms do not go away or improve much because sometimes these symptoms are not always caused by a common cold but may be a more severe “sinus infection”. If left chronic for a long time, it can even lead to blindness. To help us recognize the symptoms more accurately, today we will get to know how sinusitis differs from a common cold.
Get to know the sinuses so you can clearly understand what illness you really have?
“Sinuses” are actually organs in the human body, which are “air cavities in the facial bones around the nasal cavity.” There are 4 of them: the Maxillary Sinus or sinus in the cheeks, Ethmoid Sinus or sinus near the eyes, Frontal Sinus or sinus in the forehead, and Sphenoid Sinus or sinus at the base of the back of the brain. Therefore, sinusitis or sinus infection, commonly referred to simply as “sinus”, means an infection of the air cavities in the facial bones around the nasal cavity, which can occur in all 4 sinus locations.
How is sinus different from a cold? How to observe symptoms to know?
Both sinusitis and the common cold can be caused by bacterial and viral infections. However, a cold is an infection of the “nasal mucosa”, while sinusitis is a more extensive infection affecting the “air cavities around the facial bones or sinus cavities”. To know if it is sinusitis, observe these symptoms:
- Stuffy nose, runny nose, fever
- Discolored mucus, green or yellow, not clear mucus
- Reduced sense of smell and possibly accompanied by pain
- Breathing with a lot of nasal congestion sounds
- In some cases, cough and sore throat
Overall, the symptoms of sinusitis are very similar to those of a common cold. So how can you tell if it’s sinusitis and not a cold? The answer is if you have 3 or more of the symptoms mentioned above continuously for 3 days without improvement, or if symptoms worsen such as thicker mucus and increased nasal congestion within 5-7 days, or if you feel like you have had a cold for 10 consecutive days without recovery, you can suspect that it is a sinus infection, not just a common cold, and should see a doctor promptly.
Another important point to keep in mind is that a cold can develop into sinusitis if not treated properly. The infection can spread from the nasal cavity to the sinus cavities, causing sinusitis. This is why even if you have a cold, you should not self-medicate but consult a doctor for a thorough examination and proper medication to prevent the disease from worsening and becoming more dangerous.
How to treat sinusitis?
Sinusitis treatment can be done in several ways depending on the severity of the symptoms. Generally, it is treated with antibiotics to kill the infection for 7 days, along with decongestants or antihistamines. In cases where the patient has a history of allergies, the doctor may consider prescribing steroid nasal sprays to help reduce inflammation and swelling quickly, combined with saline nasal irrigation. The doctor will teach the patient how to perform nasal irrigation properly so they can continue at home.
Proper steps for nasal irrigation
- Bend your head about 45 degrees over the sink
- Insert the saline bottle straight into the nostril
- Hold your breath and squeeze the saline bottle to let the saline flow through the nose
- If done correctly, the saline will flow to the other nostril or out through the mouth along with mucus
- Perform nasal irrigation about 2 times a day, morning and evening, with the amount of saline depending on the amount of mucus present
However, for patients with very severe symptoms who do not improve after full medication treatment, the doctor may consider surgery to correct the blockage of the sinus drainage openings to restore normal function. This can lead to a complete cure. But sinusitis, like a cold, can recur if self-care is inadequate.
How dangerous is sinusitis? Can it really cause blindness?
Sinusitis is considered a fairly serious and severe disease. If left untreated for a long time and becomes chronic, it increases the risk of complications, especially in the Ethmoid Sinus or sinus near the eyes, which is the most severe location. The infection can spread to the eyes, causing eye inflammation, swollen eyelids, eye infections, and eventually blindness. Therefore, if you notice abnormal symptoms similar to a cold but lasting more than 3 days without improvement, you should see a doctor immediately for safety.
How to take care of yourself to stay away from sinusitis?
To protect yourself from sinusitis, follow the same guidelines as for preventing other respiratory diseases: wear a mask when going to places with a high risk of respiratory infections such as public transit or movie theaters, especially if you already have allergies and need to be extra cautious. Also, wash your hands regularly, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, use a shared spoon when eating, and if a family member has a cold, have them sleep in a separate room. Sharing an air-conditioned room increases the risk of infection. If there is a young child with a cold who cannot wear a mask, others in the household can wear masks to prevent infection. Avoid self-medicating as it may worsen symptoms. If a cold lasts several days without improvement and sinusitis is suspected, see a doctor promptly.
Sinusitis is similar to a cold but symptoms are more severe
Sinusitis is a disease similar to a cold but much more severe and can develop from a common cold if not treated properly. It is also contagious. Therefore, if you or someone close to you shows symptoms similar to a cold but does not recover, do not ignore it. If it turns out to be sinusitis, it will not heal on its own and will only worsen, causing more severe illness and potentially putting loved ones at risk both physically and emotionally.
