In Lansing, Dan Moore, certified physician assistant at Ingham Internal Medcine and Pediatric Associates, a partner of Ingham Regional, is seeing lots of upper respiratory infections, including sinus infections.

In some cases, a cold may cause swelling in the sinuses, preventing the outflow of mucus, which can lead to a sinus infection.

Symptoms of a sinus infection include: thick, yellow, foul-smelling nasal discharge; facial pressure or pain; headache, nasal obstruction, congestion, post-nasal drip and a cold that won't go away.

A sinus infection is diagnosed after a physical exam. You do need medication. Antibiotics are used if symptoms last more than a week. Decongestants can help with swelling of the sinuses and nasal passages. Steam and hot showers can help, too.

In rare instances, when sinusitis becomes chronic or long lasting, long-term antibiotics or surgery may be needed to establish adequate drainage.