Bacterial Sinus Infection Contagious

Rhinosinusitis affects some 35 million people each year in the United States and accounts for some 16 million doctor’s office visits annually according to a survey that we saw featured recently on a familiar website. A common question that we get asked is, “Are sinus infections contagious?”, including bacterial sinus infection contagious related questions. Here we seek to provide answers on when a sinus infection is considered contagious, how it is contagious, and what treatments are available for sinus infection symptoms.

Sinus infections can be caused by a myriad of things, including a bacterium, a virus, allergies, or a fungus. Viral sinus infections do not require sinus infection antibiotics because they are not cause by a microbial. Most sinus infections are caused by the common cold virus and are contagious, however it is very difficult to give someone else your sinus infection. This is where some argue that sinus infections are not contagious. It is believed that sinus infections are not contagious because it would be extremely hard for you to catch someone else’s sinus infection just by being exposed to them when they had the infection in their sinus cavities. This is because the infection itself, is located inside the sinus cavities inside of your head.

Bacterial sinus infections are considered to not be contagious as a bacterium in the sinus cavities has caused the sinus infection. We can help you find relief and figure out if your sinus infection is caused by a virus or is bacterial based.

Get answers to your questions about what can cause a sinus infection, how to get rid of the sinus swelling around your eyes, and find treatment, if antibiotics for sinus infection are required in your specific case. SmartDocMD can refer your to California virtual doctor visits for patients that are in the Golden State or any state.  Start here and get a free evaluation and connection to partner sites. If you want to speak to a doctor online we can refer you for an online doctor visit. If you just need an allergy test – check out Wyndly.

 

Lucas JW, Schiller JS, Benson V. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2001 Vital Health Stat 10. 2004 Jan. 1-134 [Medline].