Diagnosing your own illness can be a difficult task year-round. Even if the weather is cold and you have a stuffy nose, sometimes cold symptoms can be misleading. At 828 Urgent Care in Oceanside, Vista and Fallbrook CA, our experienced doctors and physicians focus on diagnosing our patients correctly and quickly. One of the first steps in diagnosing and treatment to a sickness versus an allergy is to know the difference between various illnesses.
Colds: Symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms, but can also include a sore throat, fever, and body aches. Most colds happen over the span of a few days and clear up relatively fast.
Allergies: Symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, wheezing, or watery itchy eyes. Allergies are usually set off by being exposed to a specific allergen, so you'll notice that they reoccur often, rather than hitting you hard like a cold.
Sinusitis: The symptoms of sinusitis are very specific to the nasal area. From a swollen, painful feeling around your forehead and cheeks to a very stuffy nose, the indicators of sinusitis are noticeable and can last up to four weeks. Nasal symptoms can also be accompanied by a sore throat and colored mucus.
At our walk-in clinic in Oceanside, Vista and Fallbrook, we can help clear your earwax quickly and efficiently, with no appointment necessary. We look forward to helping you with all your illness symptoms at 828 Urgent Care!
A cold is caused by a virus, whereas allergies are immune reactions to triggers like pollen, and sinusitis is inflammation or infection of the sinuses, which may result from either.
Allergy symptoms often include itching, clear runny nose, and recurrence with exposure. Colds usually cause body aches, sore throat, and sometimes fever. Persistent or worsening symptoms may indicate sinusitis.
See a provider if symptoms last more than 10–14 days, worsen instead of improve, or include high fever, facial pain, or thick nasal discharge.
Yes, chronic or severe allergies can inflame nasal passages and sinuses, blocking drainage and increasing the risk of sinus infections.
Treatments may include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, saline rinses, humidification, rest, and in some cases antibiotics for bacterial sinus infections.
Allergies are not contagious because they result from your immune system reacting to allergens, not from viruses or bacteria.
Use saline nasal rinses, stay hydrated, use a humidifier, rest, limit allergen exposure, and consider over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal sprays.
Sinus inflammation lasting 12 weeks or more is considered chronic and may require ongoing management or specialist care.
Providers diagnose based on symptoms, physical exams, and sometimes additional tests such as nasal exams, imaging, or allergy testing.
8‑2-8 Urgent Care can evaluate your symptoms, run appropriate tests, and provide treatment for allergies, colds, and sinusitis.
Or give us a call at (760) 216-6253.