How Long is Sinus Infection Contagious?

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, a sinus infection is a significant medical condition that affects 31 million people in the United States. In addition, Americans spend $1 billion yearly on over-the-counter medications.

A sinus infection causes the spaces inside your nose(sinuses) to become inflamed or swollen. A mild sinus infection makes it difficult for the sinuses to drain, leading to mucus build-up. In addition, people with sinus infections find it difficult to breathe through the nose.

If you’re looking for a quick and affordable treatment for a sinus infection, consider visiting a trusted urgent care center in Houston.   

Symptoms of Sinus Infections

The common symptoms of sinus infections include:

• A blocked or stuffy nose, often called congestion, makes it difficult to breathe through the nose.
• Tenderness, swelling, pressure, and pain around eyes, cheeks, forehead, or nose that gets worse after bending over
• A thick green or yellowish mucus from the nose causes a runny nose or down the back of the throat, referred to as post-nasal drip.
• Frontal headache
• Coughing 
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Bad breath
• Aching teeth

How Long is Sinus Infection Contagious?

A sinus infection spreads the same way a cold or a flu does. Respiratory droplets or particles containing viruses become airborne after a person coughs or sneezes, making it possible to transmit the virus.

You can also get the infection by touching infected surfaces like door knobs, which become a carrier after contact with an infected person. The above infection methods explain why healthcare providers advocate for people to wash their hands with running water and soap.

A sinus infection goes away within 10 days unless the source of the condition is bacteria. That said, the disease will be contagious for approximately two weeks— from a few days before symptoms show up until you no longer have symptoms.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Most sinus infections go away on their own without the need to see a healthcare provider. Even so, some patients may need to see a healthcare provider to prescribe antibiotics or any other solution to beat the infection.

Visit an urgent care center if you start experiencing any of the following:

• Symptoms that get worse after an initial improvement
• A fever above 38.8° C
• A mild fever that lasts more than 3 days
• Symptoms that last 10 or more days without improvement
• Multiple sinus infections in the same year

In addition, watch out for emergency symptoms; if you develop the below symptoms, you may have a severe infection.

Here are the symptoms:

• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Vision changes or double vision
• Redness, pain, or redness around the eyes

Risk Factors of Sinus Infections

The following factors increase the chances of getting a sinus infection:

• A common cold that infects the sinuses
• Allergies such as hay fever that affect sinuses
• Being around those who smoke or smoking
• A problem in your nose, including nasal polyps, tumors, or nasal septum
• An immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS

Treatment and Diagnosis of Sinus Infection

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will diagnose a sinus infection based on your symptoms and history of your well-being. The physical exam includes feeling the tenderness in your nose and face. The physician will also check inside the nose.

A primary healthcare provider may refer you to an otolaryngologist or ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Below are additional tests for diagnosing a sinus infection and ruling out other conditions:

• Nasal Endoscopy: A health provider may insert a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope into the nose. The endoscope has a light inside, allowing the healthcare provider to examine the sinuses.
• Nasal Swab: A physician may use a soft-tipped stick to get a fluid sample from your nose. They will then test the sample for viruses and germs responsible for the infection.
• An Imaging Study: In other instances, a healthcare provider may request a computed tomography(CT) scan to understand the condition better.
• Allergy Testing: A healthcare provider may request an allergy test for patients with chronic sinus infections. An allergy test investigates possible triggers to the sinus infection.

Treatment

Most cases of sinus infections go away on their own. Self-care is all you need to ease the symptoms. However, symptoms may persist, necessitating intervention from a healthcare provider.

Here are a few commonly used treatments to ease the symptoms of sinus infections:

• Decongestants: You can get decongestants from a pharmacy with or without prescriptions. Decongestants minimize the swelling of blood vessels in your nose, which helps open the airways. Decongestants are available in drops, nasal sprays, tablets, and favored powder.
• Nasal Corticosteroids: A physician may also recommend nasal corticosteroids or steroid sprays with anti-inflammatory properties. Common examples of nasal corticosteroids include budesonide, mometasone, beclometasone, and fluticasone.
• Saline Nasal Spray: A healthcare provider may recommend you spray salt water into the nose a few times a day to rinse inside the nose.
• Allergy Medication: A healthcare provider may recommend allergy medication for a sinus infection triggered by allergy.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics do not work for a sinus infection caused by a virus. However, a physician may recommend an antibiotic if a sinus infection caused by bacteria becomes worse. Antibiotics are the preferred solution for a sinus infection with worsening and long-lasting symptoms. If a doctor has prescribed antibiotics, take the entire dose even if the symptoms improve. Avoid stopping the medication before time as it can cause the symptoms to return.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is an effective way of treating a chronic sinus infection caused by seasonal or environmental allergens such as molds, dust, pollen, or pet dander.

Visit us for a Quick Relief from a Sinus Infection

 A sinus infection results in unpleasant symptoms, including fever, headache, aching teeth, and bad breath. Although most cases improve without medical intervention, a sinus infection can develop into complications, including meningitis and vision problems.

That said, consider seeking timely and quality treatment from a healthcare provider.

Lifeline Urgent Care Center has a team of board-certified physicians committed to providing quality healthcare.

Contact us online or call us at 281.771.1144  to book an appointment.