Sinus Infection or Cold?

Sometimes when I'm not sure whether or not to take one of my kids to the doctor, I call and ask to speak with one of the nurses (they usually have to call me back). They're usually pretty good at giving me advice on when to wait it out, what to look for, and what I can do at home for them. I hate bringing them in (half hour away), spending money on the co-pay and spending the better part of an hour waiting between the waiting room and the examination room only to be told it will pass. Not just for me, but I feel bad for my child who feels lousy and could have been cozy on the couch that whole time. The nurses are usually pretty good at helping me avoid that. :)

If they are acting fine, I don't take my kids in. If they start acting off, or are a lot more sensitive or overreacting, then I take them in.

Some things that work for us are a humidifier, giving them orange juice with salt in it (to break up the mucus a bit), saline nose flushes/neti pots (not so exciting, but they do help quite a bit), and Halls cough drops to really get things flowing.

My son's usual M.O. is a cold for 10-14 days THEN a sinus infection. If they are still congested/runny after 2 weeks, they probably need an antibiotic for a sinus infection.
Our doc says after 14 days--they need to be seen.

And snot color is NOT always a sign of infection, as I'm sure you will be hearing a lot with this post.

I only take my kids to the doc if they are extremely uncomfortable for days or have a high fever. Most everything goes away on its own. Get some of the Saline Mist. It's just salt water in a spray can. You spray it up their nose, they tilt their head back for 30 sec or so and then blow. Usually it helps my kids get rid of that stuffed up junk. Plus salt is a natural disenfectant!

For now try a humidifier and vapor plug-ins. Increase their vitamin D and give it another week. If not better, I would have them checked out to rule out sinus or ear infection.

I would increase their Vitamin D intake. The new guidelines have been upped to 1,000 IU's/day and studies have found that an increase in colds and sickness in the winter time is due to a lack of Vitamin D. We use one that is 4,000 IU's per serving calle Sol RD. Just make sure that what you use has at least 1,000 Iu's per serving.

could also be allergies.. possible due to dust mites.. you can have no other symptoms other than a runny nose.. over and over again... also, if allergies, of course those can make colds worse and vice versa..
you might want to ask your pedi doc or an ent...

good luck