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

Maxillary Sinus Infection

If you are suffering from a maxillary sinus infection, you face probably aches.  If you put pressure on your cheek bones, it is likely to feel very tender and sore.  Your sinuses are made of several avenues mirrored on either side of your face.  The maxillary sinuses are the biggest area.  Thus, it can also be the source of a very bad infection that can be painful and difficult to treat.

Sinus Infection Causes

Sinus infections can seem to spring out of nowhere.  One day you are feeling fine; then, you have pain, fever, headaches, and more.  It can be a debilitating ailment that makes it very difficult to function. It is not long before you have to seek medical attention, in order to get relief from the constant discomfort and pressure.  Especially if you are prone to sinus problems, you should know what causes an infection.  It may be any of the following:

• A recent cold
• The flu
• Dental problems
• Fungus
• Deviated septum
• Enlarged turbinate

It is no wonder that a cold can result in a sinus infection.  Most people are continually blowing their noses for a week or two.  It seems like the mucus is either constantly running out of, or clogging the nose.  The sinuses can take a real beating during this illness.  The nasal membranes swell, and the nose is never really cleaned out.  It is a wonder more people don’t have sinus infections after a cold.

A lot of people think they have the flu, when it is often something that was eaten or maybe even food poisoning.  But, the real influenza is a nasty virus.  Back before modern medicine, it could be a death sentence to get the flu.  Today, there are still individuals that get really sick, are hospitalized, get infections, and die from the real flu. It is not uncommon to be diagnosed with sinus problems soon thereafter.

One of the biggest culprits of a maxillary sinus infection is dental problems.  A quick look at the skull and it is not hard to see why infected teeth or gums can cause problems with the sinuses.  It is not far for dental disease to migrate to the sinus cavities.  In fact, it is actually one of the main causes of this type of sinus problem.

It is very important to maintain good dental hygiene.  Also, if you are an individual that is prone to sinus infections, it might be time to visit the dentist. Antibiotics may ease the symptoms; but, the source of the infection still remains.  Until it is gone, the sinuses are always going to be a target for pain and discomfort.
Fungus can also be a source for maxillary sinus infection.  You may not even be aware that aspergillus fungus is present in your home.  It might be necessary to deep clean your home and scrub areas that typically grow fungus, to make sure there is none present.  It is also a good idea to have someone who makes a business out of killing fungus to come into your home and take care of any potential problems.

Sometimes, people are more susceptible to sinus problems because of structural problems with their nasal cavities.  For example, a deviated septum can cause the sinuses not to drain properly.  The septum is that area that divides the nostrils.  If it leans one way or the other, it can result in more infections and even be the source of snoring issues.

Another structure issue is larger than normal turbinates.  The areas that separate your sinus cavities and curl like a scroll are made of cartilage.  If these scroll-like partitions are too thick, it can make it difficult for the sinuses to drain properly.  In both of these instances, plastic surgery can restructure these cavities and reshape the sinuses to work properly.

If you have ever had a sinus infection, one day of misery is enough.   In many cases, a trip to the doctor, a round of antibiotics and some rest will take care of the problem, after a bout of cold or flu.  But, when a maxillary sinus infection recurs, there may be serious issues that need to be addressed.  The biggest culprit is actually poor oral health.  Many people fail to see that a visit to the dentist is the answer to illness.  After gum or tooth infection is treated, the sinus infections also stop. Sometimes, it is actually the presence of fungus in the home or workplace.  To cure recurring sinus trouble, some individuals need surgery to correct a turbinate or a deviated septum.  The key is to figuring out what treatment is necessary, to make the pain and discomfort a thing of the past.