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Flu or sinusitis

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Sinus infection, or just a bad cold?
Hello, for 5 days now, I've had some really bad cold/flu symptoms. These include Severe headaches that are persistent, sore throat, continually stuffed nose/can't breathe, and coughing up tons of thick green phlegm. I'm also sweating in my sleep.

However, I have no chills, no vomiting, and no diarreah, or even queasiness. My appetite comes and goes, but is mostly ok, though I can't taste anything I eat.
Ive missed 3 days of work so far, and I don't seem to be getting any better. The headaches especially are killing me.

Any ideas what this might be? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Category: Internal Medicine Specialist

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Category: Family Physician-GP
 19 Doctors Online

Thank you for asking your query.

The symptoms you have described are suggestive of a 'flu' or anUpper Respiratory Tract infection caused by a respiratory virus. Its difficult (and often not needed) to pinpoint which virus has caused the illness. For now I would recommend you the following :

1.Steam inhalation through mouth and nose (alternating) twice daily.

2.Tylenol / other over the counter pain killer medications for the headache two-three times a day

3.Saline gargle in warm water twice daily. 
 

Since you are having the symptoms for more that 48 hours, we need to consider the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection too. These symptoms are not suggestive of sinusitis/sinus infection, but if there is a bacterial infection, there could be a sinus infection at a later stage. Please follow the above steps and give some more time for your body to fight of the viral infection. But even after 2 more days, if the symptoms are persisting or worsening, you need to visit a Doctor. May be you will need to take some antibiotics then after consulting a Doctor.


Hope this helps. Thank you.

Please feel free to ask followup questions via this email itself


Dr. Cecelia J. Russ
Category: Family Physician-GP
Experience: 
- Medical School - New York Institute of Technology, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Duke University Medical Center, Residency in Family Medicine
Dr. Cecelia J. Russ and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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