Cold vs Sinusitis Quiz

Common cold: Common cold is an infection of the nose and throat. Symptoms include coughing, runny nose, and throat pain. Most colds are caused by viruses; a few are caused by bacteria.

Sinusitis: Sinusitis is the infection of the sinuses, which are cavities around the nose and face. The infection can be acute (lasting about a week) or chronic (lasting more than three months). Most often infections start as a viral upper respiratory infection and then bacterial infection sets in. The symptoms include fever, facial pain or pressure, and nasal obstruction or drainage. Imaging including CT scans may be necessary.

Common cold Specific Symptoms

• Mild symptoms lasting 5–10 days
• Sore throat
• Cough (often dry)
• Watery nasal discharge
• Low-grade or no fever

Sinusitis Specific Symptoms

• Facial pain or pressure, especially around eyes or forehead
• Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
• Tooth pain or bad breath
• Decreased sense of smell
• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days or worsening after improvement

Common cold Treatment Approaches

The common cold usually resolves on its own and does not require specific treatment. Healthcare professionals can suggest ways to alleviate symptoms.

Sinusitis Treatment Approaches

Treatment depends on the duration and severity. Short courses of symptoms can be managed with nasal rinses, analgesics, and nasal steroid sprays. Symptoms lasting longer than a week may require oral antibiotics and/or even oral steroids. In chronic or recurrent cases, surgery may be necessary. Control of allergic rhinitis may be necessary as well. In children, surgery is often focused on removing adenoid tissues in lieu of doing surgery on the sinuses unless the infection extends outside the sinuses into the eye or brain.