Is It a Cold, Sinusitis, or Allergic Rhinitis?

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.Is that runny nose, sinus pressure, and fatigue caused by pesky seasonal allergies, a cold, or sinusitis?

As the fall chill hits the air, our medical team at NP Healthcare Group hears this question often.  Serving patients in 20 states via telehealth visits, we recognize that these conditions have overlapping symptoms, but identifying the exact cause is essential to finding effective treatment. 

Here’s what our providers want you to know about these common yet distinct upper respiratory issues.

The common cold

Over 100 viruses can cause the common cold, which spreads through airborne droplets from coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces. 

A common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract, affecting the nose and throat. Most people recover within 7 to 10 days. However, symptoms might last longer for those with a weakened immune system or lifestyle factors such as smoking.

Typically, a cold presents with thick, discolored nasal discharge, sneezing, and a runny nose. You may also experience fatigue and a general lack of energy. Medical attention is generally not required for a common cold. Hydration, sleep, and over-the-counter decongestants usually do the trick.

Sinusitis: When your sinuses become inflamed

Your sinuses are air-filled cavities behind your nose, cheeks, and forehead. Their primary function is to filter germs and pollutants, preventing them from reaching sensitive areas like your lungs.

When you have sinusitis, a bacterial or viral infection causes inflammation within these sinus cavities. The lining of your sinuses swells, impeding proper drainage. You will likely experience pressure, pain, and nasal congestion. Similar to the common cold, sinus infections can also produce discolored nasal discharge.

Sinus infections are typically temporary, but some people are prone to recurrent episodes. If your symptoms last for at least 12 weeks and you experience multiple occurrences, you might be among the 28.9 million adults (that’s 11% of the adult population)  in the United States annually who suffer from chronic sinusitis.

While the symptoms of each are often similar, their duration is frequently the differentiator. A common cold typically lasts just 3 to 5 days. When symptoms last for more than 10 days without improvement, the culprit is likely sinusitis.

Allergic rhinitis: When allergies present like other ailments

Allergies are commonly misdiagnosed as sinusitis. However, they occur quite differently. Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to the presence of specific harmless substances called allergens, including pet dander (traces of skin cells and urine), mold, dust, pollen, ragweed, and many other things found in your home or outside your door. 

Reactions to these allergens include hives, rash, itching, watery eyes, and sinus problems, depending on the trigger. These reactions often last as long as you’re exposed to the trigger, and the reaction can start in a short period ot time or take hours.

Allergic rhinitis can predispose you to sinus infections.

Whether you’re suffering from a cold, sinusitis, or allergic rhinitis, the experts at NP Healthcare can help manage the symptoms. Contact us to set up your consultation today and feel better fast.