Sinus Infection Contagious

Among the problems with a sinus infection, contagious is not one of them. You may be miserable, and it may feel like a very bad cold, but the people you come in contact with are safe from catching your illness. People never get sinus infections because someone else passed it on to them; it is simply because the sinuses cannot drain properly. Thus, any nasty microorganisms that normally vacate the sinuses essentially stay put and just get more disagreeable to the body, and the passages become infected.

What Causes Sinus Infections?

For the individual that has recently suffered from a cold or the flu, it is not uncommon to be subsequently diagnosed with a sinus infection. While the cold or flu may be contagious, sinus infection is not. Of course, not everyone that gets a virus will have sinus trouble. But, it can be the instigator.

With a cold or the flu, the sinuses can seem to run non-stop. It may feel like a sinus infection, but as long as the mucus is running clear, it is just a symptom that will go away with time. However, if the discharge turns a dark yellow or green, it is time to pay a visit to the doctor.

Sinus infections can also be caused by a buildup of fungus in the sinus cavities. In most cases, a fungal ball or other fungus is located in the maxillary sinuses, which are located behind the cheek bones and under the eyes. Since it is not based on a bacterial infection, antibiotics are of little help. The doctor will want to confirm it is fungus, remove it by endoscopic surgery if necessary, and then prescribe an anti-fungal medication to remove any remnants of the disease that are left behind.

Bacteria can also be the culprit of sinus infection. Contagious is still not a descriptive term. But, it will likely require antibiotics to get rid of the problem and get back to normal, healthy sinus function.

If an individual snores and is prone to sinus infections, frequent painful episodes might be the result of structural problems with the nasal passages. Sinus infections often occur, if the passages cannot drain correctly. Many sufferers often have a problem with a deviated septum. The cartilage that divides the nostrils is not positioned correctly. If the septum is angled wrong, the sinuses cannot evacuate properly. Also, if the structure of the sinus cavities themselves is too thick, narrowing the passage, the mucus tends to back up.

Treatment for Sinus Infections

The treatment for sinus infections varies depending on the root cause of the illness. If the infection is a byproduct of a virus, there isn’t much the doctor can prescribe, except remedies that can be taken care of at home. For a viral infection, the best thing to do is drink plenty of liquids, preferably water. Staying hydrated will help the sinuses drain.

For the pain and discomfort, over-the-counter pain killers should take care of the pain and swelling associated with a sinus infection. Contagious issues are not a problem, even if it was precipitated by a virus. So, a basic decongestant and an antihistamine will also help relieve the symptoms, until the sinus infection has run its course.

Fungal infections are more invasive. As a result, they are more difficult to treat. If not treated, some types of fungus can actually erode the bone and spread further throughout the body. For some people, this type of infection can be fatal, so the doctor will have to remove the fungus and run tests, to make sure it hasn’t spread.

Bacterial sinus infection will respond to antibiotics for most sufferers. A doctor will prescribe something like amoxicillin or augmentin to help fight the infection. Of course the standard home remedies will also apply, in order to reduce the symptoms and get life back to normal more quickly.

Prevention First

For individuals that have had more than one sinus infection, prevention steps should be taken, in order to reduce the chances of recurring illness. For example, a change of climate or environment might be recommended. Since most people can’t just pick up and move to a more sinus-friendly location, there are some things that can be done to at least make the home atmosphere healthier.

Allergens are often the culprits for chronic sinus trouble, so it is advisable to put special filters on furnaces, air conditioners and heating vents, in order to catch more dust, pollen, and pollutants in the air.

It can be debilitating to constantly live with a recurrent sinus infection. Contagious worries are not a problem, but it can be difficult to function both personally and professional, while constantly fighting the symptoms. There are different treatments for different types of sinus problems. But the best idea is to learn how to prevent sinus