Really bad allergies and possible sinus infection.

Pregnant and suffering from Seasonal Allergies or Sinus infection?

• Hi. I'm almost 18 weeks into pregnancy #2, and Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings I woke up with a slight sore throat and stuffy nose that dissipated within an hour of waking. Well, Tuesday the whole she-bang hit - sneezing, watery eyes, one nostril clogged, the other running, a few body aches, and last night/today a slight fever (99.3). I did see my general practitioner today as my OB/GYN doesn't handle many non-pregnancy related issues. My GP prescribed Augmentin 875 for 10 days for treatment of a sinus infection. So here's my question: How do I know that it's really a sinus infection and not seasonal allergies? I live in the deep south, and pollen here is just outrageous right now. I'm a seasonal allergy sufferer even when not pregnant, but can't take my normal Allegra-D right now. And Claritin doesn't help much, though I'm taking it anyway on the advice of my OB. But I was under the impression that a sinus infection takes 7 to 10 days to even develop once other cold/allergy symptoms are present. I've only really been "sick" for 3 days. I don't want to treat a sinus infection that isn't there, and I do know that Augmentin is a pretty powerful antibiotic. I had to take 2 rounds of Zithromax and then Augmentin as a last resort during my pregnancy in 2010 with my son, but I had been sick for literally 3 months. So why such a jump to an antibiotic now after only 3 days? I certainly do want to treat any infection that may be present, but I'm not convinced at this point that there is one. My sinus drainage is only yellowish first thing in the morning, the rest of the day I'm either stopped up, or it's clear. It's normal for me to run a slight fever with any cold or allergy - so that doesn't point me to believe I have an infection yet. So what's your advice? I don't feel "infected." I don't feel great - but who with pollen allergies does? I don't have sinus pressure, facial pain, jaw pain, ear pain, headache, or any of the more typical sinus infection symptoms. I had them ALL in my last pregnancy, and I was suffering true chronic sinusitis at the time. Should I just take the antibiotic now anyway - and risk the nausea, diarrhea, etc - ask for a gentler antibiotic tomorrow since Augmentin 875 is a bit much so soon, or wait it out a couple days and see if the Claritin, Saline Spray, and Vick's VapoRub start clearing it all up? I'm just very hesitant to take an antibiotic that I'm not SURE I need during pregnancy - and tearing up my intestinal probiotics for 10 days is not an appealing idea right now either :( Thanks in advance for your advice - and please, there's no need to be rude! I'm looking for experienced opinions and empathetic advice! God Bless!

• Answer:

  I would give the Claritin and spray and Vick's a chance first, and then check back with the doctor if it does not help.