Sinus infections, or sinusitis, is an inflammation or swelling of the tissues of the sinuses. Our question here “Are sinus infections contagious?” and the answer, in most cases, sinus infections are not contagious, but there are some situations when they can spread from an infected person to a healthy one. But first, we need to understand how sinus infections occur and what are the factors that trigger them if we are to establish whether they are contagious or not.
Who gets sinus infections?
There are several situations in which a person might get a sinus infection. Usually, the most exposed people are the ones that catch colds rather often because, during a cold, the sinuses are blocked by nasal secretions. Thus, the chances for bacteria to develop are much larger. Also, having a blockage in the drainage ducts can also lead to such complications. Differences in the structure of the drainage ducts, like narrowing, can also contribute to sinus infections. Sinus infections can also take place in case your immune system is weak, or you take medications that suppress the immune system. Exposing to an environment with a lot of smoke will also increase the chances of developing sinusitis.
World’s Fastest Sinus Infection Reliever*
What are the signs indicating a sinusitis?
You may think that the nose is the one that is supposed to hurt in the case of sinusitis. Well, not exactly, since the sinuses have a complicated structure so the pain might radiate. Thus, besides nasal congestion and discharge, you may experience facial pain or the feeling of pressure, especially in the area of the forehead above the nose. Also, you may have a hard time sensing smells, caught, have a fever, feel tired and even a bad breath. All of these point to a sinus infection. A patient may have some of these signs, accompanied by nose discharges that are thick and have a greenish or yellowish color.
Types of sinusitis
Sinusitis is of several types, taking into consideration the frequency of sinus infection occurrence, number and type of symptoms and duration of the illness episode. Thus, there are:
- Acute sinusitis, which usually appear out of a sudden, with a runny nose and facial pain that lasts for about two weeks. It will never exceed four weeks in length.
- Sub-acute sinusitis, which means the sinuses will get inflamed for about four to eight weeks.
- Chronic sinusitis, usually, symptoms, in this case, last longer than eight weeks.
- Recurrent sinusitis, which is characterized by several sinus infection episodes per year.
Read also: The Difference Between Common Cold and Flu
When does sinusitis become contagious?
As mentioned in the beginning, sinusitis can become contagious in several cases. These cases involve getting the sinus infection due to bacteria and viruses. Thus, a person carrying these bacteria and viruses, responsible for the sinus infection, it may very pass them to a healthy person, triggering the infection in his case as well.
In case of bacterial sinusitis, the condition is triggered by a cold or a flu, which blocks the sinuses and favors the development of bacteria. Streptococcus Aureus, Pneumonia and Haemophilus Influenza are the bacteria that are responsible for sinus infections. Both adults and children are affected by bacterial sinusitis, and the illness usually lasts more than ten days and can get rather severe in some situations. Symptoms include high fever, facial pain, and thick nasal discharge.
Viral sinus infections are caused by the viruses that trigger respiratory infections, including colds and flu. This is the most contagious form of sinus infection since it can be transmitted very easily through the air, unwashed hands, dirty napkins and more. By just coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, the virus can spread, through the air, and cause further infections. Children are most exposed since they have to go to school or kindergarten and get exposed to a sick child. The viruses A and B of the influenza and Rhinoviruses are the ones responsible for viral sinus infections. The youngest of children, under two years old, and the seniors, people above the age of 65, are the most vulnerable and can catch it.
Ways to prevent contagious sinusitis
Since respiratory viruses are highly contagious, and they are responsible for causing a series of respiratory illnesses, including sinus infections, do your best in avoiding them. Of course, you can’t lock yourself in the house during seasonal change when these viruses are in action. But you can maintain the hygiene, especially when it comes to your hands. Always wash your hands with soap before eating or if you can in contact with other people, to reduce the incidence of getting the virus. In case you, or your child, are sick with flu or sinusitis, try better to stay at home until you heal, to avoid spreading the virus among the people you come in contact with. If you don’t want to stay at home, wearing a special mask can also stop the virus spreading. You can find appropriate ones in pharmacies. Seasonal vaccination can also be an efficient method to avoid getting sick because of these viruses.
World’s Fastest Sinus Infection Reliever*
Sinusitis home remedies
Believe it or not, there are some ways to help alleviate your sinus infection. First, you need to ensure a good drainage of the area, so drink a lot of fluids, like water and hot tea, to help the mucus that is blocking your sinuses to get out. Inhaling steams can also help fluidize the thick mucus. You can use plain water for the steams, or you can add chamomile, as it can contribute to reducing the inflammation.
Put your face over the steaming pot, as close as you can, and inhale the streams through your nose. You can cover your head and pot with a towel, to make sure to inhale enough steam before they evaporate. Hot showers can also help. Since sinus infections occur at the same time with a cold, a hot and steamy shower will help increase your body temperature and help eliminate mucus. Also, don’t increase too much the indoor temperature, because the air can get dry and will irritate the sinuses. It is better to leave it a few degrees lower and wear a sweater instead of a T-shirt. Room humidifiers can also help make the air less irritant to the sinus tissues.