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If you are sniffling and sneezing this week, you could have the latest sinus virus going around.
Local 12 Medical Reporter Liz Bonis shares the latest remedies to help you find relief with this morning's Medical Edge.
A new report from Harvard says there are several steps to keep your sinuses clear, but an important word of caution today first. If you've had sniffling and sneezing and it's lasting longer than about seven to ten days, you could have sinusitis or a more serious sinus infection, and you may need treatment with antibiotics or something else, rather than just some of these remedies.
We talked to Doctor Scott Woods this week of Bethesda Family Medicine.
He said the common virus going around this week is making people have a runny nose, as well as respiratory symptoms. For most, it lasts about a week and gets better, instead of worse, as the week goes by. Because it's a virus, at least initially you do need to let it run it's course, but while you have that virus, a few things can help you find some relief, while you live through it, according to this new report.
First up, stay well hydrated. It, at least, keeps the mucus loose. You can drink whatever you wish, but plain water is really what your body needs most.
Second, inhale steam. If you just boil water and put a towel over your head, you can breath in the steam to clear your sinuses.
Third, sleep with the head of the bed elevated. This at least keeps your sinuses running in the right direction, so hopefully you won't wake up feeling worse, rather than better.
You also may do well to have a hot compress on your nasal passages or, as we've talked about before, use a neti-pot or salt water nasal spray to clear your sinuses.
Finally, if you want to find relief for symptoms with over-the-counter products, it's suggested you use decongestants and not antihistimines.
Again, if these symptoms are lingering, you will do best to talk to your doctor and see if it's not this virus going around, but rather a true sinusitis or infection, which may not go away on it's own.
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