Can sinus infections be spread from person to person? Or Can I pass the sinus infection to others? These are the common questions that come up in your mind if you work, have some intense cold symptoms and have children in your house. These can also be your question if your colleagues or the classmate of your kid has those symptoms. To know the answer and to keep yourself safe along with others you need to read below.
Can Sinus Infections be spread from person to person?
If you want to know the answer to this question, you won’t get a simple answer. Rather you’ll get both answers- “yes” and “no”. it completely depends on the factor that caused your sinus infection. If you have a sinus infection because of a virus. Or a cold turned into a sinus infection. Then it can be contagious. As any virus can be spread from a person to person easily, the viral sinus infection is no different.
But the experts suggest that the infection itself is not contagious. And the virus that causes sinus infection is the same virus that usually causes the common cold. That’s why if a person passes on the virus to another person, the other person might get only a common cold but not any sinus infection. That means in the case of a virus the sinus infection can be spread from person to person, but there is no 100% surety.
Other types of sinus infections like bacterial sinus infections, allergic sinusitis, or other chronic sinus infections are not contagious. That’s why the infection in these cases can not be spread from person to person.
How can you tell if a sinus infection is viral or bacterial?
To know the possibility of spreading the infection and keeping others safe everyone wants to know the reason behind the sinus infection. Especially if you want to know if it’s viral or bacterial. But there is no way to do that just by the symptoms. Even the doctor can not tell that by the symptoms. They usually suggest the patients wait for a week, as the viral sinusitis starts to get well after 7-10 days.
There is a rumour that you can determine if it’s a virus or bacteria by the colour of the mucus. But the doctors reject that idea completely. There are some other factors behind the yellow or green colour of the mucus including the white blood cells. Even the hydration level of the body can change the colour and thickness of the mucus.
The doctors usually know the infection type by its duration of it. But If you can not tolerate the symptoms for that time then the doctor will go through some tests. An endoscopy or a sample test can determine the reason for the infection. The doctor will also determine the bacteria to treat you properly.
Should I stay home if I have Sinus Infections?
Sinus infection creates panic in the people who have the infection and also in the people who stay around them. Naturally, you don’t want to go to work or the office with an infection, so that it doesn’t get spread. But as you know by now that sinus infection is not contagious, at least not all types of sinus infection. But you can’t be sure of the type of infection just by the symptoms.
Most of the time it is caused by a virus. And although the infection itself is not contagious, the virus is. You can still spread the cold. That’s why it’s best not to go to the office or school if not important.
On the other hand, if you have a sinus infection you need proper rest. Taking rest will help to produce enough energy to fight against the infection. In the office, you can’t keep in mind to drink water from time to time. But keeping yourself hydrated is one of the most important tasks while having sinusitis. Besides, if you are allergic, staying out with a sinus infection can worsen the condition. That’s why doctors suggest staying at home for at least 7-10 days if you have a sinus infection.
Conclusion
So you saw the answer to “Can sinus infections be spread from person to person” and learned how to cure sinus infections fast. But that’s not the only important part. Another important thing is to maintain good hygiene. Washing your hands properly, not spitting randomly and coughing or sneezing with a cover; make these your habit. As these can save the other members of your family, especially the children.
