Cold & Flu
Everyone gets a cold from time to time. More than 200 different viruses can cause a cold, but the rhinovirus is the most common culprit. Its symptoms typically include runny nose, coughing and sneezing. It is worth noting that a cold isn’t the same as the flu (influenza). Flu symptoms are more severe and can include a fever and shaking chills, aches and pains, lethargy and headaches.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR SINUS AND ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
Allergies can cause itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and sinus pain. They are the body’s reaction to usually harmless substances known as allergens. Upon contact with these allergens, the body produces antibodies to fight them.57
While this is helpful with sickness-causing germs, it is not so helpful with allergens. A chemical that is produced by the body’s response is histamine, and it is actually histamine – not allergens like mould or pet hair – that causes allergic symptoms.57
Your sinuses, which are vital air-filled sacs in your skull, are normally germ-free. But if too much mucus blocks the sinus openings, as may happen during an allergic reaction, bacteria can thrive and multiply.58 This could lead to sinusitis.
Consult your doctor if:58
- symptoms last longer than 10-14 days or a cold gets worse after 7 days
- you have a severe sinus headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter painkillers
- symptoms remain after taking a full course of medicine prescribed by the doctor
- there are changes in vision during an episode of sinusitis.
Home remedies can be helpful for managing sinus pain. Some tips include:58
- applying a warm, moist washcloth to your face and forehead several times a day
- inhaling steam from the shower – avoid using a bowl of hot water as hot steam may burn the lining of the nose
- drinking plenty of liquids and using a saline nasal spray or humidifier if the environment is dry
