Those With Underlying Medical Conditions May Be At Greater Risk Of Developing A Sinus Infection
Sinus infections are fairly common, affecting more than 30 million Americans each year. However, people with certain underlying medical conditions may experience more frequent and severe cases of sinusitis and chronic sinusitis.
- Sinus infections can occur as a result of viral infections, such as the cold or flu. Therefore, people with weakened or compromised immune systems may be at a greater risk for developing acute sinusitis.
- Sinus infections commonly arise due to complications with seasonal allergies, asthma, or other physical issues that can cause blockages in the nose or sinuses. People with these conditions are more likely to develop chronic sinusitis.
About Author: Lisa Coon
Lisa Coon is a Writing Coordinator for OSF HealthCare, where she has worked since August 2016. A Peoria native, she is a graduate of Bradley University with a degree in journalism. Previously, she worked as a reporter and editor at several newspapers in Iowa and Illinois.She lives in Groveland with her husband and son. In her free time she likes to cook, bake and read. She freely admits that reality TV is a weakness, and she lives by the quote, The beach is good for the soul.
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Are There Different Types Of Sinus Infections
There are many different types of sinus infections, but they all have one thing in common: they are caused by bacteria or viruses and can be very contagious. Some other examples include colds/flu as well as ear infections if an infection spreads from your nose into these areas where theres poor circulation due to being clogged up with mucus and or fluids stagnant stagnancy due to congestion not draining properly on its own/ with the help of gravity downwards facilitating movement aka aided by a bulb syringe aspirator nasal irrigation system cleaning out the passages without needing to lean over in a seated position while tilting your head sideways, inserted into one nostril at a time flushing it out regularly and as needed rinsing off the infected area with lukewarm sterile saline water , using either over-the-counter or prescription medications.
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How Long To Take Amoxicillin For Sinus Infection
Antibiotics can be a life-saving intervention for people who have infections that dont respond to other treatments. However, it is important not only know the right antibiotics but also when and how they should best be used so as avoid further complications from infection or drug side effects such like nausea in some cases contact dermatitis .
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What Causes Sinus Infections
The most common cause of sinusitis are viral respiratory infections that lead to swelling and irritation of the sinuses, the most frequent being the common cold.
Other ways to contract a sinus infection include:
- Nasal polyps, or small growths in the lining of the nose, that may be asymptomatic but block the normal sinus pathways
- Any structural change to the nasal cavity, such as a deviated septum or history of sinus or nose surgery
- Hay fever causing swelling to the noses lining, usually during common allergy seasons
While sinus infections are common and most adults will experience one over their lifetimes, there are outside influences that can lead to more frequent cases of sinusitis.
Risk factors for an increased chance of a sinus infection include:
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- A broken nose or other structural problems within the sinuses
- A weak immune system, or starting the cycle of a new drug that weakens the immune system
Visit Your Local Allen Park Sinus Specialists Today
If you have been experiencing a sinus infection that has lasted over ten days, visit our Allen Park or Southfield, Michigan offices. Our sinus specialists can help you with your sinusitis with treatments like balloon surgery, sinus drops, or nasal steroids. Our team is here for you with whatever you need, so anytime to ask us a question or to make an appointment.
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Giving probiotic supplements to your dog while they are taking antibiotics will help restore and maintain good bacteria levels in their intestines while significantly improving immune system functioning to facilitate elimination of an infection.
Prevents diarrhea caused by antibiotic use.
Antibiotics will kill many bacterial probiotics because the Antibiotics cannot distinguish between helpful and harmful bacteria.
In fact, studies have shown that when giving S boulardii along with an antibiotic, pets are much less likely to develop diarrhea during or after the course of Antibiotics.
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When To See A Doctor At University Urgent Care Fort Worth
If you have a fever of over 102 F or symptoms that last more than seven days, its time to see your doctor at the University Urgent Care Fort Worth location. It could be something more serious like pneumonia so keep an eye out for signs such as shortness of breath, coughing up blood-tinged phlegm or having trouble breathing when lying down flat on your back with a pillow under the head .
We welcome same-day walk-ins and have appointments available!
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How Long Is A Cold Contagious
Cold and Sinus might have the same symptoms, and they feel pretty similar to each other. However, Simus is more acute, and the infection could last more days than a cold. When we are asking, are sinus infections contagious? The answer could vary on which kind of infection you have contacted. But in the case of cold and Flu. The initial days of transmutability are higher than Sinusitis.
Dr. Jazmine Sutton, an MD in Cleveland Clinic, told Health.com that,
Viruses cause the most common colds and the highest infectious period is usually one to two days before symptom onset and during the first two to three days of symptoms. The typical symptoms would be a sore throat, runny nose, or a headache.
Dr. Sutton also mentions that the symptoms of a cold usually last between 1-2 weeks at max, and in most cases, the cold is not contagious to other people after one week has already passed. However, It is necessary to know that if the symptoms and the time duration exceed, it sure is not a common cold but much more than that.
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Types Of Sinus Infection
The most common sinus infections are called acute bacterial rhinosinusitis , and they typically last about seven to ten days. Sensitive means its happening right now, while bacterial refers to the inflammation associated with infection. Rhinitis describes swelling in your nasal passages. When evaluating an individual for a sinus infection, their doctor will consider how long symptoms have been present and any other complications like fever or earache these things can signal that there is another underlying condition making them worse than usual which requires immediate attention by your physician.
Sinusitis may also be chronic if youve had multiple bouts of respiratory problems within twelve months or more. This kind of sinus infection lasts much longer.
Subacute sinusitis. Symptoms characterize this type of sinus infection for less than four weeks there may be no fever, and pain levels are generally low.
Recurrent acute bacterial rhinosinusitis . Suppose you have two or more bouts within twelve months. In that case, this can indicate that the problem isnt resolved on its own because your bodys natural defenses cannot fight off the bacteria effectively enough without help from antibiotics, surgery, medications, or just time healing it naturally.
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What Are The Stages Of Sinus Infection
Types
- Acute sinusitis usually starts with cold-like symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2 to 4 weeks.
- Subacute sinusitus usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
- Chronic sinusitus symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
- Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.
Some Common Symptoms Of Sinus Infection
While we are trying to know, Are Sinus infections contagious? The most common symptom of Sinusitis is the development of cold and Flu. You would never know whether you are suffering from a common cold or the infection has turned out to be more hazardous than you thought. Analyzing the symptoms would clarify the exact feeling while suffering from the disease and give several other risk factors during this health condition.
- Pressure throughout the Sinus cavities passes through the cheeks, head, nose, and finally located in the forehead. This is why people often have a pressured feeling in their head while suffering from a Sinus infection.
- A consistent runny and stuffy nose
- Mild to severe sore throat
- Feeling of Fatigue
- An extended period of Bad Breath
- Pain in either one or both the ears
- Suppose one is suffering from a sinus infection caused by bacteria. In that case, there might be additional symptoms like nasal discharge, which is not cloudy, rather a puss/mucus-like substance, and consistent pain in the entire face.
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How Is Sinus Infection Diagnosed
Diagnosis depends on symptoms and requires an examination of the throat, nose and sinuses. Your allergist will look for:
- Discolored nasal discharge
If your sinus infection lasts longer than eight weeks, or if standard antibiotic treatment is not working, a sinus CT scan may help your allergist diagnose the problem. Your allergist may examine your nose or sinus openings. The exam uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and a light at one end that is inserted through the nose. It is not painful. Your allergist may give you a light anesthetic nasal spray to make you more comfortable.
Mucus cultures: If your sinus infection is chronic or has not improved after several rounds of antibiotics, a mucus culture may help to determine what is causing the infection. Most mucus samples are taken from the nose. However, it is sometimes necessary to get mucus directly from the sinuses.
Knowing what kind of bacteria is causing the infection can lead to more effective antibiotic therapy. A fungus could also cause your sinus infection. Confirming the presence of fungus is important. Fungal sinus infection needs to be treated with antifungal agents, rather than antibiotics. In addition, some forms of fungal sinus infection allergic fungal sinus infection, for example do not respond to antifungal agents and often require the use of oral steroids.
When Are You No Longer Contagious
Antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial infections. These medications specifically target bacterial functions and can either kill bacteria or prevent them from thriving.
Youre typically considered no longer contagious after youve been on a regimen of antibiotics for a period of time, which depends on your type of infection.
For example, youre no longer contagious with strep throat after youve been on antibiotics for 24 hours and no longer have a fever.
Additionally, youre no longer contagious with whooping cough after five full days on antibiotics. People with chlamydia should abstain from sexual activity until theyve completed seven days of antibiotic treatment.
Its very important to speak with your doctor about your infection and how long you should expect to be contagious. Knowing this information can help prevent you from infecting others while you recover.
Bacterial infections can be acquired in several different ways, depending on the type of infection. Lets explore some examples of how some bacterial illnesses are spread.
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Cary Medical Group Provides Assistance For Those With Chronic Sinus Infection Symptoms
In most cases, a sinus infection will easily go away on its own after home care and over-the-counter medication. However, if you find that sinus infections are increasingly becoming a part of your life, then you should contact our internal medicine doctors in Cary to explore the benefits of allergy testing or immunotherapy.
See why we have been the provider of choice for the Cary and Triangle area for more than 25 years. We welcome the opportunity to be your medical home. Schedule an appointment with us today.
For more than 25 years, Cary Medical Group has served as the Triangle areas premier internal medicine provider. We tailor our treatments to provide the finest personalized health care available for each stage of your adult life. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
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How Is Sinusitis Spread
You can get it the same way you get cold and flu — by breathing it in or passing it from your hands to your mouth after touching something. Viruses get in the air after someone who is sick sneezes or coughs. They also can be passed on when someone shakes hands with someone who is sick or touches a doorknob or anything else the sick person has touched.
To keep from getting a virus, wash your hands often with soap and water. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. Try to avoid people who have cold– and flu-like symptoms.
If you have sinusitis, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands to avoid making anyone sick.
Turns Out It Depends On What’s Causing Your Sinusitis Here’s What To Know
Amanda Gardner is a freelance health reporter whose stories have appeared in cnn.com, health.com, cnn.com, WebMD, HealthDay, Self Magazine, the New York Daily News, Teachers & Writers Magazine, the Foreign Service Journal, AmeriQuests and others. In 2009, she served as writer-in-residence at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She is also a community artist and recipient or partner in five National Endowment for the Arts grants.
Even though sinus infections are often caused by contagious organisms like viruses and bacteria, experts are not completely agreed on whether the infections themselves can be spread.
Part of the confusion lies in the fact that sinus infections can be caused by so many different things. A sinus infection can be caused by viruses or bacteria that cause inflammation where the sinuses drain into the nose, explains Lisa Liberatore, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
The sinuses are a series of bony cavities in your skull designed to keep foreign particles like dust and germs out of your body. Theyre lined with mucus to trap those particles then, little hair-like projections called cilia sweep back to front to jettison the invaders from your body.
But inflammation can cause the mucus to get trapped, Dr. Liberatore says, and then germs can grow, which can lead to a sinus infection, or sinusitis.
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How Is Sinus Infection Spread
Sinus infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi can be contagious.
These germs are transmitted by droplets in the air after a person who is sick coughs or sneezes. They can also be passed by touching or shaking hands with a person who is sick and has not properly washed their hands, or by touching a surface a sick person has touched, such as a doorknob, table, faucet handle, etc.
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Add A Comment5 Comments
My Dr diagnosed me with pneumonia, Ive been on antibiotic for a little over 2 days. Am I still contagious? I still need to blow my nose and am coughing up mucus. Could you tell me your expertise? Thanks so much.
is MRSA contagious if sick person is taking antibiotics ?
Cindy, good question, thanks for asking!
It really depends on the infection or illness that you are talking about. Many things that a person would be on antibiotics for are not contagious ear infections, or sinus infections, etc.
And many things that are contagious are not something youd take antibiotics for a cold, for instance, or chicken pox. Even if a doctor has prescribed you antibiotics for a secondary infection the cold is still contagious as long as you are sneezing and coughing .
Usually, the a general guideline would be that a person is not contagious after 48 hours worth of antibiotics. With strep throat, a general guideline is 24 hours.
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