Viral vs Bacterial?

[daughtersrus]

How long should I wait before going to the doctor?

I've had horrible sinus pressure behind my left eye since Tue morning. A sore throat started that night. Last night I looked in my throat and there is one white/yellowish spot on the left side. I haven't had a fever at all.

I'm not one to run to the doctor for myself. My DD had a horrible cold for two weeks and ended up in the ER twice. I've been trying to be super careful around her but the germs are still in the air.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

If it's strep, or an infection you should go as soon as you can to start antibiotics. If you think it's just a "bug" it's probably a virus and there's not much they can do for that.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

This is a tough one. IF you know you have a sinus infection, I would hit the doctor soon. Sinus infections that fester can lead to many other issues. If it is just pressure built up from congestion, I'd wait it out, use whatever cold remedies you are use too, meds, steam, hot showers, saline sprays, etc... If it doesn't get better after a week, I'd go to the doctor. I'm like you, I won't go unless I feel like I'm almost dead. I hate taking meds, especially antibiotics.

As for the spot, you could have strep, mono, or just real bad irritation. I've never had strep so I can't comment but I did have mono and my throat felt like it was on fire.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

It's unusual to have a bacterial sinus infection or strep throat without a fever. Also, my doctor said that if congestion occurs along with a sore throat, it is much more likely to be a cold/virus rather than strep. Personally, I'd wait it out and try some sinus-clearing home remedies (irrigation, sinus meds, steam, etc).

 

[daughtersrus]

If it's strep, or an infection you should go as soon as you can to start antibiotics. If you think it's just a "bug" it's probably a virus and there's not much they can do for that.

I don't think its strep. I used to get it twice a year until I had it really bad and haven't had it since. This doesn't feel like that.

I've never had a sinus infection but I'm thinking thats what this is. My eye throbs if I bend over. I've read that most are viral that's why I've been holding of but the white spot has me second guessing myself.

 

[Christine]

I have only had one or two sinus infections in my life, and they occurred about 2 weeks AFTER bad cold symptoms.

Everytime I get a cold that is significant, I get pressure behind my eyes and cheekbones and it is uncomfortable to bend over or exert pressure. That does not mean you have a sinus infection, although, you will have that symptom with a sinus infection. Any large amount of congestion or swelling will cause that feeling.

If you go to the doctor, even though docs have been told to ramp down on antibiotics, you will probably get one. Is that what you want? I try to avoid them until absolutely required because, while they do good, they also obliterate the good bacteria in your body and set you up for resistance later on.

Take the suggestions above for relieving congestion and symptoms. If you start with a fever or begin to feel so ill from your sinuses, then go.

 

[mamamary]

I know you don't think its strep buy my DD had a sore throat last Friday. I kept her home from school. She didn't have any other symptoms but Sat. morning she really complained about her throat. Sure enough she had strep. I always heard you had a fever with that but she didn't. Glad we went to the drs.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Seeing as it's Friday, I'd go today.

 

[bcla]

Even most bacterial infections are "self-limiting" meaning they don't necessarily get better or worse even with antibiotics. There's a host of bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics, and taking them can make it worse since that reduces the level of other bacteria that form competition with the pathogenic bacteria.

However, a doctor should probably make the determination of the best course of action.

 

[Lynne M]

That's why there ARE doctors - to figure this stuff out. It's their job to make the viral/bacterial diagnosis. Make the appointment.

 

[Divah]

Sinus infection is not viral most of the time it is bacterial. When the mucus in the sinus cavity does not drain it builds up more and more bacteria that causes the infection....now a virus like the flu or upper respiratory will cause the passages in the sinus to swell not allowing the mucus to evacuate causing the perfect storm for an infection.....but if you have pressure what you are describing is a sinus infection and if it is not going away by now you will need to get a low grade antibiotic for it most likely....just a nurse in no way a doctor.

On safe side check for strep as well so many different strains they all cause different symptoms.Get checked and let a doc make the call

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

The one time I had strep, I didn't have a fever at all. I put off going for almost a week, thinking it would get bette. Finally went it when the sinus/ear pressure got to be too much - going into a weekend. Doc said it didn't present as strep, but would swab anyway. Next morning, get the email that it's strep. DD comes down with a sore throat over the weekend, take her in Monday, her pedi says he doesn't think it's strep, but since I had it, he'd swab. Sure enough, strep for her too!

All that to say, I'd have it checked out.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I took both of my boys (16 and 19) to the doctor two weeks ago. Both had the flu and had developed new symptoms. Older one had a white spot in his throat and a lingering cough. He has Asperger's and freaked out at the thought of a throat swab. The doctor said the spot could be viral or bacterial. But since he was coughing up yellow/green mucus, he felt an antibiotic was in order. Younger DS had a fever that kept coming back, plus a cough and congestion. He ended up having mild pneumonia and was put on antibiotics for that. Yesterday, he was feeling sinus pain that worsened when he bent over. His temp. was normal. I took him to the doctor since he's in a show that opens tonight. If he did have an infection, we wanted to start treating it right away. The doctor didn't think the pain was caused by an infection. It was most likely irritation and swelling from the congestion that came along with his previous case of pneumonia. The lung congestion was gone. The doctor recommended Claritin-D and Flonase (both are now over-the-counter). He also advised him to inhale steam and drink a lot of water since the meds. can dry him out and he needs to sing in the show tonight and tomorrow.

I would err on the side of caution and see a doctor sooner rather than later. At least you'll know if you need to be treated or just wait it out.

 

[nkereina]

I had a bad cold that I thought it had turned into a sinus infection. It was around day 4 and I called my doctor, and she told me to call back if I still felt the same at day 10, because that's how long it takes for a sinus infection to develop. Apparently, a virus turns into a sinus infection so it can't be a sinus infection from the jump.

I've had strep a few times and always have an exceedingly painful - moreso than average - sore throat with a lot of white spots in the back, plus a nasty fever.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[shortbun]

When my son has a sinus infection, and he gets pockets/scabs in his throat, I have him gargle with warm/hot salt water and irrigate his sinuses. He usually gets over it that way including zinc lozenges and some xtra vitamin C. We use EmergenC. If it persists, 3 days or more, I take him to the doc. He got a lot of antibiotics as a newborn due to his early birth so we didn't want to use them unless absolutely needed.

 

[Christine]

I had a bad cold that I thought it had turned into a sinus infection. It was around day 4 and I called my doctor, and she told me to call back if I still felt the same at day 10, because that's how long it takes for a sinus infection to develop. Apparently, a virus turns into a sinus infection so it can't be a sinus infection from the jump.

I've had strep a few times and always have an exceedingly painful - moreso than average - sore throat with a lot of white spots in the back, plus a nasty fever.

Hope you feel better soon!

This is my doctor's take on it also. Most cold symptoms last a long time and are uncomfortable. If I have cold symptoms, my doctor won't even entertain antibiotics until around day 10 and only if I am not improving. I'm in my 50s now and I don't get sick often. But when I do get a cold, I honestly can tell you that I have learned to count on 2.5 weeks of feeling pretty rough. I think most people are under the impression that they should only feel bad for a day or two and it should be gone (and I have definitely had colds that are mild and quick like that), but mostly not.

As for sinus infections, you're correct--you don't just catch them. They come from built up mucous that does not move and, therefore, allows bacteria to breed. People with chronic allergies can get sinus infections where they didn't have something viral, such as a cold, to start. But they have had stagnant mucous without being sick.