It is important to differentiate between a sinus infection (sinusitis) and a cold since treatment can differ between the two. While all colds run their course with no need for intervention, sinus infections vary by type, resolving on their own if they are viral or lingering for weeks if they are bacterial. Treatment for bacterial sinus infections typically involves taking an antibiotic for 10 to 14 days.
Fever
One defining difference between sinus infections and colds is the presence of fever. Although not all sinus infections produce a noticeable fever, a fever indicates a viral infection or some other source besides a cold, the Mayo Clinic says.
Recurrence after Improvement
Many sinus infections occur as secondary infections following a cold or the flu. Therefore, a telltale sign of a sinus infection is getting sick, getting better, and then getting worse again, Medline Plus reports. If the worsening is accompanied by other symptoms listed here, you are most likely dealing with a sinus infection, not a cold.
Duration
Another way to distinguish between a cold and a sinus infection is the duration of illness. In general, colds last a week or less. In contrast, sinus infections do not typically appear until more than a week of illness, leading the Mayo Clinic to suggest that you seek medical treatment if you have passed the seven-day mark. Sinus infection symptoms can resolve with home care, or they can continue to produce symptoms indefinitely, usually until antibiotic treatment begins.
Pain and Pressure
Sinus infections tend to include sinus headaches, which consist of pain and pressure in the front of the head, throughout the face, around the eyes, and in the teeth. A person with a sinus infection may be tender to the touch on the upper cheeks and forehead, since that is where the sinus cavities are located. The pain of a sinus headache can be intense and typically responds best to any activity that removes some of the impacted mucus from the sinuses (a saline nasal rinse, warm washcloths placed on the face, or inhaling steam, according to Medline Plus). Colds may include headaches, but they tend to be less localized than those of sinus infections and do not typically involve the cheeks or teeth.
Fatigue
While colds may make you less energetic than usual, they are unlikely to come with strong fatigue, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sinus infections, on the other hand, do occur with fatigue.
Bad Breath
Bad breath may occur during a sinus infection, but typically does not accompany a cold. A metallic taste may also be present along with bad breath.
