Nope, they’re not the same thing.

Symptoms like stuffy nose, headache, and sore throat may sound like a run-of-the-mill cold—but they could also signal a sinus infection. Because the two share overlapping symptoms, it’s common to confuse them. The key differences often come down to duration, severity, and underlying cause.

Defining Sinus Infection and the Common Cold

A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when fluid builds up in the sinuses—the hollow spaces behind your nose, eyes, and cheeks—allowing bacteria, viruses, or fungi to grow. This leads to inflammation, pain, and pressure. About 31 million Americans get sinus infections each year.

A cold, on the other hand, is a mild viral upper respiratory infection. Colds irritate the nasal passages but do not usually involve the same level of sinus inflammation. However, colds can trigger sinus infections by blocking drainage pathways.

  • Colds: Always viral

  • Sinus infections: Viral or bacterial (and less often, fungal)

  • Antibiotics: Useful only for bacterial sinus infections, not colds or viral sinusitis

Symptoms of a Cold

Colds usually resolve within 7–10 days. Symptoms tend to appear quickly and ease gradually.

Common cold symptoms include:

  • Sneezing

  • Runny nose (often clear mucus)

  • Stuffy nose

  • Sore throat

  • Cough

Colds rarely cause fever, though mild fever can sometimes occur in children.

Symptoms of a Sinus Infection

Sinus infections usually last longer—from 10 days to 8 weeks. They may cause more localized pain and can include fever.

Typical sinus infection symptoms:

  • Stuffy or runny nose (often yellow/green mucus, but color alone isn’t reliable)

  • Facial pain or pressure (cheeks, forehead, around eyes)

  • Headache

  • Post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat)

  • Sore throat and cough

  • Bad breath

  • Fatigue

  • Low-grade fever (more likely with bacterial infection)

How to Tell the Difference

  • Timeline: Colds usually improve within a week; sinus infections linger or worsen after 10 days.

  • Fever: More common with sinus infections (especially bacterial).

  • Facial pain/pressure: A stronger indicator of sinus infection than of a cold.

  • Nasal discharge: Green/yellow mucus can appear in both viral and bacterial cases, so it’s not a reliable test.

Treatment

For Colds

  • Rest and hydration

  • Warm steam or humidifier

  • OTC remedies (pain relievers, decongestants, throat lozenges)

  • Saline nasal spray or neti pot

For Sinus Infections

  • Viral sinusitis: Supportive care, similar to colds (fluids, steam, rest, saline rinses)

  • Bacterial sinusitis: May require antibiotics if symptoms persist >10 days, worsen after initial improvement, or are severe

  • OTC decongestants (but avoid use >3 days to prevent rebound congestion)

  • Pain relievers and saline irrigation for symptom relief

Most sinus infections resolve without antibiotics, but if untreated, they can (rarely) lead to complications like meningitis or chronic sinus damage.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Seek medical care if you experience:

  • Severe or persistent symptoms lasting more than 10 days

  • Symptoms that worsen after initial improvement

  • High fever or intense facial pain

  • Frequent recurring sinus infections

A Quick Review

Both colds and sinus infections can cause sore throat, congestion, and cough. But colds are short-lived viral infections, while sinus infections last longer and may be bacterial, requiring antibiotics. For both conditions, rest, fluids, and symptom relief measures help. If symptoms linger beyond 10 days, worsen, or cause severe discomfort, consult a healthcare provider.