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What Causes Fever, Excessive Sweating, Facial Pain, Post Nasal Drip And Headache?
Question: Three days ago, fever 99.8, sweaty then low grade the next day, 99.1. Second day, facial pain, non stop post nasal drip head ache and some body ache. Today, no fever, pnd, productive cough, facial pain and pressure. How do I know if this is sinus infection or a virus.
Brief Answer:
Given that it just started within past few days, most likely a virus.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I'm sorry you are feeling sick. You definitely are having some sinus symptoms, and there may be some bacterial colonization in your sinuses right now, but most likely it will go away on it's own.
In this day and age of bacterial resistance and development of "superbugs", doctors are discouraged from prescribing antibiotics even for sinus infections in the early stages as most will resolve on their own in time, without antibiotics. Usually we wait for 7-10 days from start of the illness, and if it is getting worse, then we prescribe an antibiotic such as Augmentin, Doxycycline, or Cipro. But a Z-pack (azithromycin) is not advisable because of bacterial resistance to it now.
I'd suggest that you add to your regimen a corticosteroid nasal spray. Flonase, for example, is available without prescription at any pharmacy/drug store. It takes a few days of regular use to work maximally, but will decrease inflammation of the sinus tissues. In this way, there is more air movement and less chance for bacterial colonization. Don't use Flonase within an hour of saline irrigation as the saline washes used before hand may make the Flonase just drip down your throat, and if used after would just wash the Flonase away.
Here are a couple of articles for physicians that detail under what circumstances and how to treat a sinus infection. For sake of clarity, where it states in parenthesis (low, moderate, etc), it is referring to the strength of the research behind the various recommendations.
XXXX
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I hope this information helps and you are feeling better soon!
Given that it just started within past few days, most likely a virus.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I'm sorry you are feeling sick. You definitely are having some sinus symptoms, and there may be some bacterial colonization in your sinuses right now, but most likely it will go away on it's own.
In this day and age of bacterial resistance and development of "superbugs", doctors are discouraged from prescribing antibiotics even for sinus infections in the early stages as most will resolve on their own in time, without antibiotics. Usually we wait for 7-10 days from start of the illness, and if it is getting worse, then we prescribe an antibiotic such as Augmentin, Doxycycline, or Cipro. But a Z-pack (azithromycin) is not advisable because of bacterial resistance to it now.
I'd suggest that you add to your regimen a corticosteroid nasal spray. Flonase, for example, is available without prescription at any pharmacy/drug store. It takes a few days of regular use to work maximally, but will decrease inflammation of the sinus tissues. In this way, there is more air movement and less chance for bacterial colonization. Don't use Flonase within an hour of saline irrigation as the saline washes used before hand may make the Flonase just drip down your throat, and if used after would just wash the Flonase away.
Here are a couple of articles for physicians that detail under what circumstances and how to treat a sinus infection. For sake of clarity, where it states in parenthesis (low, moderate, etc), it is referring to the strength of the research behind the various recommendations.
XXXX
XXXX
I hope this information helps and you are feeling better soon!
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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