Can you catch sinusitis

When fluid or mucus is trapped in the sinuses, germs can begin to grow. That can lead to a sinus infection. Common causes of sinus infections include:. Viruses cause most sinus infections. If a virus causes your sinus infection, then it can be contagious. In most cases, they may only develop a cold. You can spread the virus responsible for your sinus infection to another person through the air when you sneeze or cough. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze can help reduce the risk of spreading infection.

Bacterial sinus infections are less common. Bacteria cause less than 2 percent of sinus infections. The symptoms of sinus infection include:. Read more: What does the color of your mucus mean? The length of your symptoms can vary. Acute sinusitis is temporary and usually develops from a cold.

Symptoms typically last 7—10 days. A bacterial infection can make acute sinusitis last longer. Chronic sinusitis is long-term and can reoccur.

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis will last for 12 weeks or longer. Antibiotics only work for sinus infections caused by bacteria. In some cases, sinus infections can lead to other complications.

Diagnosis and management of rhinosinusitis: A practice parameter update. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Journal. Wyler B, et al. Sinusitis update. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. Dietz de Loos DD, et al. Prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in the general population based on sinus radiology and symptomatology.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Sinus infection sinusitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed March 11, Goldman L, et al. Allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Hamilos DL, et al. Chronic rhinosinusitis: Management. There is no specific treatment for sinusitis caused by a virus. People can try to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis in several ways. Using a decongestant nasal spray for more than a few days, however, may itself cause swelling of the sinuses and slow recovery.

Saline or salt sprays also may reduce swelling in the sinuses. Doctors may prescribe special nasal sprays or oral by mouth medications for people with chronic sinusitis who have allergies that contribute to the infection. It is the pathway through which air and gases are transported down into the lungs and back out of the body.

Acute sinusitis usually clears up within 3 weeks, or within 1 to 2 weeks with treatment. Chronic sinusitis lasts 3 to 8 weeks or longer and may require longer courses of antibiotics and other treatments to resolve the condition.

Complications of sinusitis are rare, although they do occur. A sinus infection also can spread to invade the tissues surrounding the eyes. Because there is no practical way to prevent all colds or to eliminate all allergies, sinusitis is not entirely preventable.

People can limit their exposure to the viruses and bacteria that cause the infections by washing their hands thoroughly and frequently and by not sharing eating or drinking utensils. Not smoking and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke also can help limit the risk of sinusitis.

It is wise for people with allergies to avoid the things that trigger their allergy symptoms and to control their allergies with the treatment recommended by their doctors.