11/18/2025
🌡️🤧 Cold or Sinus Infection?
This time of year, it can be tough to tell the difference! This article breaks down the differences in a parent-friendly way, but here are a few quick takeaways:
• Colds usually improve within 7–10 days
• Sinus infections often last longer or may worsen after day 10
• Thick or colored mucus doesn’t always mean a sinus infection
• Watch for fever returning, symptoms getting worse, or lasting more than 10 days
It is often difficult to tell if an illness is just a viral cold or if it is complicated by a bacterial infection of the sinuses. Here are some general characteristics of viral colds and bacterial sinusitis to help you tell the difference.