Differentiating Between Sinus Flu, The Common Cold Or Flu Differentiating between Sinus Flu and Cold or Flu
The most common sinus infection symptoms are similar to viral flu and may be easily confused for each other. But on close observation there are certain factors that will help separate the viral flu and sinus flu.
Sinus Drainage
The signs of Viral Flu
The signs of viral flu can be either mild or severe but mostly come suddenly. The symptoms are
• Fever of above 100 degrees Fahrenheit temperature
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle ache or body pain
• Extreme exhaustion and fatigue
• Runny nose and
• Cough
Antibiotics For Sinus InfectionThe symptoms tend to appear within 4 times of infection and on the course of an antibiotic will disappear as quickly as it had come. Only the tiredness and fatigue may linger on for a few days or even weeks but with the right diet this can be looked after too
Symptoms of Sinus Flu
Viral flu and Sinus Flu are affected by the same virus and therefore most of the symptoms are alike. Sinus flu symptoms include
• Fever of above 100 degrees Fahrenheit temperature but may last just for a day or two
• Sinus headacheespecially in the mid forehead region where the sinuses are present
• Tiredness and fatigue but generally recovers soon unlike viral flu where it may last for weeks together. Extreme exhaustion
• Stuffy nose is really a positive sign of sinus flu, this is rarely present in viral flu or cold
• Runny nose from sinus flu generally has a thick yellowish green colored discharge
• Facial pain and tooth ache, also absent in viral flu
• Cough and sneezing can show up sometimes especially if there has been prolonged sinusitis
• Chest discomfort might be mild to moderate in day time but can worsen at night
• Decreased sense of smell and taste is very common with sinus flu especially so if its chronic sinusitis
Sinus HeadacheSinus flu occurs due to two types of infection. It may be either viral or bacterial. If sinus flu is caused because of bacteria, the temperatures during fever may soar up above 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Antibiotics For SinusTreatments for Sinus Flu
Quite obviously the onset of sinus flu is due to viral or infection in the sinus region and this has to be taken care of first.
Sinus flu caused by viruses generally doesn't need any antibiotics for sinus infection. Doctors would advise taking medications for that fever and some decongestants that will ease up the mucus and help it to flow out with the nose.
Sinus DrainageSinus Flu caused by bacteria does need a training course of antibiotics like Amoxicillin. Bacterial Sinus flu is identified by facial pain and thick nasal discharge that resembles pus. The symptoms persist for more than a week and drugs and decongestants are ineffective. The common bacteria that cause sinus flu are Haemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Amoxicillin is taken for five days at least to exhibit up some kind of improvement. If the does not happen, alternate antibiotics are used that may take 10 to 14 days to solve the sinus flu problem.
When the problem persists despite antibiotic therapy, sinus drainage might be advised. This is a surgical procedure done under general anesthesia. But before taking up any sort of medication, it is usually advisable to have a registered practitioner diagnose the particular problem and confirm that it's sinus flu.
Sinus Infection Symptoms