Illness and Infections | Walgreens
Illness & infection
Find relief for sinus infections, cough & cold, and strep throat. Get answers to your questions, plus expert advice, in-store services and recommended solutions.
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What is a sinus infection?
A sinus infection Opens in a new tab., also called sinusitis, is the swelling of tissue that lines the sinuses (the structures inside your face within the cheekbones, around the eyes and behind the nose that are normally filled with air).
When the sinus lining becomes irritated by allergens or infected by bacteria or viruses, it swells, makes extra mucus and becomes blocked. This makes it difficult for your sinuses to drain, causing mucus to build up and allowing germs to grow.
Viruses, like the ones that cause common colds, are the usual cause of sinusitis. Sinusitis usually clears on its own within 7 to 10 days.
What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?
Symptoms may include a runny nose with thick, yellow or greenish mucus, mucus draining down the back of the throat (postnasal drip), and/or a blocked or stuffy nose.
You may also experience pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that gets worse when bending over.
Other signs include ear pressure, headache, aching in the teeth, changed sense of smell, cough, bad breath, tiredness or fever.
What types of medications are available for sinus infections?
Sinus infections can often clear on their own. However, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action.
There are medications used to treat the symptoms. However, if the sinus infection needs antibiotics, some that are prescribed include: amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) or doxycycline.
To understand the full range of treatments available, speak to a healthcare provider.
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Difference between a cough, cold, and bacterial sinus infection?
These three conditions are related but different. Understanding the differences can help you know when to rest at home and when to seek care.
Common cold: A viral infection of the nose and throat. On average, adults get 2 to 3 colds per year.
Bacterial sinus infection (sinusitis): A bacterial sinus infection happens when bacteria grows in the sinus cavities, usually after a cold. It could also happen after the flu or when allergies cause congestion, pain, and other symptoms.
Cough: It is a symptom of colds, allergies or asthma, or other bacterial or viral respiratory infection. It is a reflex to clear out extra mucus, germs, or irritants and may linger even after the illness has resolved.
- How to tell them apart?
Comparison of common cold, bacterial sinus infection, and cough symptoms, onset, and duration Common cold Bacterial sinus infection Cough (with a cold) What are common symptoms? Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild body aches, or possibly a low-grade fever Thick, discolored nasal discharge (common but does not prove infection), facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion, or a fever that may be high (above 102°F / 39°C) A dry or wet cough that may worsen at night; fever is uncommon How does it start? Symptoms come on gradually. Often begins as a cold that does not get better (symptoms persisting beyond 10 days without improvement) or worsens after seeming to improve (suddenly worsens after 5-7 days) It usually starts with or shortly after cold symptoms How long does it last? Symptoms peak around days 2 to 4 and usually resolve within 7 to 10 days Typically resolves in about 2 weeks but can last up to 4 weeks It may linger for 1 to 3 weeks even after other cold symptoms improve Common cold
What are common symptoms?
Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild body aches, and possibly a low-grade fever.
How does it start?
Symptoms come on gradually.
How long does it last?
Symptoms peak around days 2 to 4 and usually resolve within 7 to 10 days.
Bacterial sinus infection
What are common symptoms?
Thick, discolored nasal discharge is common but does not prove infection, along with facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion, and fever that may be high, above 102 degrees F / 39 degrees C.
How does it start?
It often begins as a cold that does not get better or worsens after seeming to improve.
How long does it last?
Symptoms persist beyond 10 days without improvement or suddenly worsen after 5 to 7 days.
Cough (with a cold)
What are common symptoms?
A dry or wet cough that may worsen at night; fever is uncommon.
How does it start?
It usually starts with or shortly after cold symptoms.
How long does it last?
It may linger for 1 to 3 weeks even after other cold symptoms improve.
- When you should seek care
- Cold symptoms last more than 10 days without any improvement.
- Symptoms seem to get better and then suddenly get worse ("double worsening").
- You have a high fever, above 102 degrees F / 39 degrees C, with thick nasal discharge and facial pain lasting 3 or more days.
- If you develop a severe headache, swelling around the eyes, or vision changes, seek urgent care.
- What are some common ways to feel better?
For a common cold:
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help with aches and fever if present.
- Antihistamines or nasal decongestants may relieve runny nose or nasal stuffiness.
- Zinc lozenges, when taken within 24 hours of the start of symptoms, may help shorten the duration of a cold by a day or so.
- Antibiotics are for bacterial infections, not for colds which are caused by viruses.
For a bacterial sinus infection:
- Bacterial sinus infections may improve on their own but depending on how severe or how long symptoms are present, treatment to help manage symptoms or antibiotics may be needed.
- Decongestants, steroid nasal sprays, or nasal saline rinses can help with nasal symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with headache, pain, or fever.
- If antibiotics are used, options such as a 5 to 7 day course of amoxicillin may be used.
For a cough:
- Over-the-counter remedies such as lozenges or throat sprays or even honey (if over age 1) can help ease a cough.
- Over-the-counter cough suppressants, such as dextromethorphan, may provide some relief in adults. Avoid over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children under the age of 4.
- Antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays can help with postnasal drip that can sometimes trigger a cough.
- Talk to a healthcare provider if your cough continues to worsen, lasts longer than a few weeks, makes a whooping sound, or if coughing is followed by vomit or bleeding.
- What are ways to prevent these illnesses?
- Hand hygiene: Frequent handwashing with soap and water is the single best way to prevent colds and sinus infections.
- Avoid touching your face: Cold viruses spread when you touch contaminated surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Stay home when sick: This helps prevent spreading illness to others.
- Manage allergies: Allergies can worsen or increase the risk of sinus infections. Talk to your doctor about allergy treatment if this is a concern.
- Stay up to date on vaccines: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines help prevent respiratory infections that can lead to sinus problems.
What is strep throat?
Strep throat is an infection caused by a bacteria called ‘group A streptococcus’. It can cause a sore throat (pharyngitis).
What are the symptoms of strep throat?
Symptoms of strep throat may include fever, chills, a red sore throat that may have white patches, pain when swallowing and swollen tender neck glands. You may also experience a general ill feeling, a loss of appetite, headache and nausea.
Is strep throat contagious?
Yes, strep throat is highly contagious. Strep throat is spread through close contact with others. For example, the bacteria often spreads to other people in the same household. The bacteria can be spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from household surfaces.
Strep throat can be spread to others until you have been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. If you have strep throat, you should refrain from going to school, daycare or work until you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. To help prevent the spread of strep throat to others, wash your hands frequently, avoid sharing eating utensils and cover your mouth with a tissue or your upper sleeve or elbow when you sneeze or cough.
What’s the difference between strep throat and a sore throat?
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Viral causes of a sore throat do not respond to antibiotics. Strep throat, because it is caused by bacteria, will usually respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics are taken to speed up your recovery and to prevent rare but more serious health problems, such as rheumatic fever.
How do you test for strep throat?
To test for strep, your throat is swabbed in the area of the tonsils. Please note that Walgreens does not offer in-person strep testing.
Is testing available for strep throat through Walgreens Virtual Healthcare?
Strep throat testing is not available through Walgreens Virtual Healthcare. If you are seeking care for strep throat, please note that based on recent clinical guidelines, in-person strep testing is required in many, but not all cases. We can provide guidance on whether it would be appropriate based on your symptoms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a sinus infection?
A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is the swelling of tissue that lines the sinuses (the structures inside your face within the cheekbones, around the eyes and behind the nose that are normally filled with air). When the sinus lining becomes irritated by allergens or infected by bacteria or viruses, it swells, makes extra mucus and becomes blocked. This makes it difficult for your sinuses to drain, causing mucus to build up and allowing germs to grow.
Viruses, like the ones that cause common colds, are the usual cause of sinusitis. Sinusitis usually clears on its own within 7 to 10 days.
- What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?
Symptoms may include a runny nose with thick, yellow or greenish mucus, mucus draining down the back of the throat (postnasal drip), and/or a blocked or stuffy nose. You may also experience pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that gets worse when bending over. Other signs include ear pressure, headache, aching in the teeth, changed sense of smell, cough, bad breath, tiredness or fever.
- Are sinus infections contagious?
Sinus infections are not contagious, but the viruses and bacteria that cause them are.
- What types of medications are available for sinus infections?
Sinus infections can often clear on their own. However, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action. There are medications used to treat the symptoms. However, if the sinus infection needs antibiotics, some that are prescribed include: amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin), or doxycycline. To understand the full range of treatments available, speak to a healthcare provider.
- How can I prevent sinusitis?
Because sinus infection may be caused by a bacteria or viral infection, basic hygiene practices, like handwashing, are a great start. It’s helpful to manage your overall illness and infections which can include staying up to date on vaccines, avoiding close contact with people who have upper respiratory infections, not smoking and using a humidifier.
Strep Throat
- What is strep throat?
Strep throat is an infection caused by a bacteria called ‘group A streptococcus’. It can cause a sore throat (pharyngitis).
- What are the symptoms of strep throat?
Symptoms of strep throat may include fever, chills, a red sore throat that may have white patches, pain when swallowing and swollen tender neck glands. You may also experience a general ill feeling, a loss of appetite, headache and nausea.
- Is strep throat contagious?
Yes, strep throat is highly contagious. Strep throat is spread through close contact with others. For example, the bacteria often spreads to other people in the same household. The bacteria can be spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from household surfaces.
Strep throat can be spread to others until you have been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. If you have strep throat, you should refrain from going to school, daycare or work until you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. To help prevent the spread of strep throat to others, wash your hands frequently, avoid sharing eating utensils and cover your mouth with a tissue or your upper sleeve or elbow when you sneeze or cough.
- What’s the difference between strep throat and a sore throat?
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Viral causes of a sore throat do not respond to antibiotics. Strep throat, because it is caused by bacteria, will usually respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics are taken to speed up your recovery and to prevent rare but more serious health problems, such as rheumatic fever.
- How do you test for strep throat?
To test for strep, your throat is swabbed in the area of the tonsils.
- What type of testing is available for strep throat through Walgreens?
If you suspect you have strep throat, you can connect with a Virtual Healthcare provider. Click here Opens in a new window to start a visit.
If the clinician suspects you have strep throat, a lab may be ordered based on your symptoms. Click here Opens in a new window to learn more about lab services.
You can have a Rapid Strep Test or a Throat Culture performed at a Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics location convenient to you. After the order is placed by a Walgreens Virtual Healthcare provider, you will need to go in-person to complete the lab service (Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics will charge a separate lab fee). If the results are negative, Walgreens Virtual Healthcare will release the results to you, send applicable educational materials and recommended next steps. If your results are positive, a clinician will call you and may prescribe an appropriate medication which can be obtained at your local Walgreens or another pharmacy of your choice.
Rapid Strep Test: A rapid strep test can provide results in 10-20 minutes. If a rapid strep test is negative, but your health care provider still thinks you have strep throat, they may order a throat culture.
Throat Culture: This provides a more accurate diagnosis than a rapid strep test, but it can take 24-48 hours to receive results.
References
- Harris AM, Hicks LA, Qaseem A. Appropriate antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infection in adults: advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2016. Guideline.
- Rosenfeld RM. Acute sinusitis in adults. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2016. Review.
- Chow AW, Benninger MS, Brook I, et al. IDSA clinical practice guideline for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children and adults. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2012. Guideline.
- Payne SC, McKenna M, Buckley J, et al. Clinical practice guideline: adult sinusitis update. Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery: Official Journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2025. Recent guideline.
- DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN. Treatment of the common cold. American Family Physician. 2019.
- Sur DKC, Plesa ML. Antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections. American Family Physician. 2022. Review.
- Butler FM, Hernandez DR. Acute rhinosinusitis: rapid evidence review. American Family Physician. 2025. Review.
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*Currently available in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI. Services may vary by state.
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