Good Morning All,

I have had this miserable cold for 11 days now, and have been taking alot of extra vitamin C and different cold medications, but just can't seem to shake this one, thought it was gone for one day, but then right back again ..I usually don't get colds at all.

The thing is, I have to keep blowing my nose ALOT ..and not to be gross, but now it is very yellow, and for some reason, I remember my Mom saying that is a sign of an infectiopn..does anyone know if that is the case, and if I should go to the doctor..I hate to go and have him say, oh, it's just the end of a cold..no big deal.

Thanks

Don't colds usually last about 14 days or so?

Hi, thanks for responding..I am not sure, I thought possibly 7- 10 days, but like I said, I usually don't ever get colds. .so this has been a real nuisance for me !!!..blowing the old nose every few minutes !!!!

I am just wondering if it might be an infection..if not better by tomorrow, I will give the doc a call..thanks again.

You most likely have a secondary bacterial sinus infection. Many times, a cold (rhinovirus) leads to a bacterial sinus infection. It happens with me. The yellow mucus is the giveaway. You need to get a prescription for the correct antibiotic to kill the bacteria. Because the sinuses have so many little pockets, it can take two weeks or more for the antibiotics to kill all of the bacteria. So be patient.

While the cold virus does disappear in about 4 days, it doesn't guarantee you won't get a secondary sinus infection. That's a different deal. Sinuses are very easily infected as they have many warm moist pockets ideal for bacteria to grow.

Take it from an old pro. I also irrigate my sinuses daily with a Water Pik machine and a saline.

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-24-2002).]