Are sinus infections contagious? No, but an underlying virus can be

2020-08-21T17:13:24Z

Sinus infections are not contagious.
However, if your sinus infection is caused by a virus, that virus can be contagious — and if it spreads to someone else, they will be at a higher risk of getting a sinus infection, too.
Here's how you can recognize and treat a sinus infection in order to reduce risk and prevent the spread of any contagious illness.
This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. McKnight, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine.
Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.

Sinus infections affect about 31 million Americans a year, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

If your sinus infection is caused by a virus, that virus may be contagious, but not the sinus infection itself. If your sinus infection is caused by bacteria or allergies, you likely won't be contagious at all.

Here's what you need to know about the common causes of sinus infections, how to treat them, and how to reduce your risk of getting one.

What is a sinus infection?

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is swelling of the sinus passages within the cheeks, the forehead, and between the eyes, says Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, otolaryngologist (ENT) and laryngologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center.

The inflammation obstructs these nasal drainage pathways, causing mucus to pool and that stagnant mucus can become infected. People with allergies, asthma, or structural blockages that narrow the drainage pathways, like a deviated septum, are at greater risk for developing sinus infections because their pathways are not wide enough for adequate mucus drainage.

Other risk factors for developing sinus infections include:

Smoking
Acid reflux
Being immunocompromised (having a weakened immune system)
Polyps in the nose

Are sinus infections contagious?

Sinus infections are not contagious, but the underlying illness that caused the sinus infection can be.

For example, sinus infections are typically caused by a virus, such as the rhinovirus, which also causes the common cold. Those common cold symptoms — like a runny nose and congestion — can lead to mucus pooling in drainage pathways and increase your risk for a sinus infection.

If you have a viral sinus infection, you could spread the virus that caused it, but not necessarily the sinus infection itself. Though if someone else gets the virus from you, they may get sick, and could also be at a higher risk of developing a sinus infection.

But if your sinus infection is caused by bacteria, you won't be contagious, Mehdizadeh says. This is because a bacterial sinus infection is caused by stagnant mucus that has pooled in drainage pathways, causing bacteria to grow, and not because you have come into contact with that bacteria through another sick person.

Other causes of sinus infections — like allergies or nasal polyps that obstruct drainage pathways — are also not contagious.

The duration of your symptoms will often determine the cause of the infection, and whether or not you may have a contagious illness. A viral sinus infection, for example, will last about seven to 10 days, and you could be contagious with the virus for up to two weeks.

If your symptoms persist for more than 10 days — or they subside around day seven and then return — you are likely dealing with a bacterial sinus infection. But bacterial sinus infections are rare, accounting for about 2% of all sinus infections.

Sinus infection symptoms

A sinus infection can be quite painful, Mehdizadeh says, and may cause the following symptoms:

Headaches
Fatigue
Nasal drainage either through the nose or in the back of the throat
Soreness in the cheeks and jaw
Pressure under your eyes or on the bridge of your nose that is tender to the touch
Coughing
Fever
Loss of smell
Bad breath

A sinus infection diagnosis requires a physical exam from a doctor of your nose and throat as well as a review of your medical history. Sinus infections are often mistaken for colds, but you will typically experience more facial pressure and pain with a sinus infection, Mehdizadeh says.

Sinus infection treatment

Most sinus infections are viral, and will resolve on their own in seven to 10 days. In the meantime, you can treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medications and at-home remedies, including:

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to manage headaches, chills, fever, and pain.
Over-the-counter nasal sprays like Flonase to help keep nasal passages moist and decrease inflammation and congestion.
Over-the-counter mucolytics, like Mucinex, to help clear mucus and reduce congestion.
Over-the-counter antihistamines, like Benadryl or Zyrtec, to block inflammation caused by an allergic reaction, if the cause of your sinus infection is allergies.
Warm compresses, like a warm washcloth on your face, to help relieve pain and open up nasal passages.
Sinus rinses, like a neti pot, to help flush mucus out of your sinuses.
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can also help reduce congestion. If you're interested in buying one, check out Insider Reviews' guide to the best humidifiers.

A bacterial sinus infection will also require antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, typically prescribed for about 10 days.

The bottom line

While anyone can get a sinus infection, they are most common in people with allergies or bodily defects that narrow sinus openings and make them more prone to developing a sinus infection.

Overall, to prevent sinus infections, you should practice good hand washing hygiene and stay away from anyone who is sick. This will help reduce your risk for contracting the viruses that can cause sinus infections.

If you experience frequent sinus infections, and don't respond well to the traditional treatment methods above, your doctor might recommend sinus surgery to open passageways or remove nasal polyps that can contribute to recurring infections.