Cold or sinusitis?

[Vicki J]

I'm not sure if I am trying to recover from a cold or have developed a sinus infection.  My 1st grader brought home a cold from school and now most everyone else in the house is recently recovered, but I still have some symptoms.  I've also been experiencing a high level of stress in the past six weeks, so I don't know if that is playing into my recovery time (being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder).  (I had a complete blood count a few weeks ago for an unrelated condition (abdominal pain) and the values were normal, so I think that means I don't have an impaired immune system).

I've got some very mild sensations in the sinus area (occasional mild pain, some sensations of swelling?, but it's not bad and not all the time).  I sometimes have pressure in my ears, also.  I think all my symptoms are improving; the ear sensations were more painful a few days ago, I had a sinus headache a few days ago that lasted several hours (after breathing vapor from a humidifier), and I used to have a sore throat from the cold (but that's been gone for a few days).  

I'm not sure what the proper course of treatment is, or if it will just run its course.  

Thanks.

[National Jewish]

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities.  Inflammation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, an infection, or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke.  Symptoms can include a headache or pressure in the area of the sinuses, a stuffy nose, achy teeth, an odor coming from the nose, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, lightheadedness, constant low fever, and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage.  This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production.  The mucus can drain from the nose and sinuses down the back of the throat causing a constant or intermittent postnasal drip and sore throat.

The best way to identify a sinus infection is with a sinus CT scan, although sinus x-rays are a decent alternative.  A sinus CT scan will also identify if any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked.  If your symptoms are due to sinusitis, they will last as long as the inflammation continues.  Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sin.html for ways to clear up the inflammation.  Check with your doctor to see which of these would work best for you.

[Vicki J]

I forgot to mention that my nose is not congested.