What is Sinusitis, How is it Treated and is it Contagious?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissues in the sinuses. This condition causes facial pain, stuffy or runny nose, and sometimes fever. It is most often caused by the common cold, but other viruses, bacteria, and allergies can also cause sinusitis.

A few things you should know about this disease:

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. The sinuses produce mucus, which keeps the inside of the nose moist. This, in turn, helps protect against dust, allergens, and pollutants.

Healthy sinuses are full of air. But when they become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can multiply and cause infection.

Some of the conditions that can cause sinus blockage are:

• Common cold
• Allergic rhinitis, swelling of the nasal mucosa caused by allergens
• Small growths in the lining of the nose, called nasal polyps
• Distorted nasal cavity

Types of sinusitis

There are several different types of sinusitis. Doctors will determine which type it is by how long you’ve had symptoms.

Types of sinusitis:

• Acute
• Chronic
• Subacute
• Recurrent
• Fungal
• Pansinusitis

Acute sinusitis

This type is most often caused by the common cold. You should feel better within 10 days, although symptoms may last up to 4 weeks.

In this type, symptoms include stuffy nose, thick green or yellow discharge, pain, pressure or swelling, headache, ear pressure, cough…

Chronic sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis brings the same discomfort as acute sinusitis. But it lasts much longer. You will not be diagnosed with chronic sinusitis until you have had symptoms for at least 3 months.

It’s not always clear what causes this type, but some things increase your risk of developing it, including nasal polyps, allergies, recurring respiratory infections, and diseases that affect the immune system, such as cystic fibrosis and HIV.

Subacute sinusitis

This type of sinusitis falls between acute and chronic. If your sinusitis lasts more than 4 weeks but less than 12 weeks, you will be diagnosed with subacute sinusitis.

Recurrent sinusitis

If you have acute sinusitis four or more times a year, the condition is called recurrent sinusitis. If you regularly breathe in tobacco smoke or other irritants in the air, you may be at a higher risk of recurring sinusitis.

Fungal sinusitis

Sometimes a fungal infection of the sinuses can also occur, which is known as fungal sinusitis.

There are two main categories – invasive fungal sinusitis (these rare infections can spread to the eyes, brain, and other places) and non-invasive fungal sinusitis (affecting only the nose and sinus area).

Allergic sinusitis

Dust, pollen, smoke, and other environmental irritants that are inhaled can cause sinusitis.

The symptoms are mostly similar to other types of sinusitis, but this type is characterized by itching of the nose, eyes, and throat.

Symptoms may come and go with the seasons, as the amount of allergens in the air changes throughout the year.

Pansinusitis

In most cases, a sinus infection does not involve all four pairs of sinuses in the head, but only one or two. But sometimes, all four pairs can be infected at once. This condition is known as pansinusitis.

Which people get sinusitis?

Many people get sinusitis at least once a year, and you are more likely to get sinusitis if you have:

• Swelling inside the nose
• Blocked drainage channels
• Nasal polyps
• Weakened immune system

In children, some of the factors that can cause sinusitis are the following:

• Allergies
• Illnesses from other children (from kindergarten or school)
• Smoke in the surroundings
• Drinking from a bottle while lying on their back
• Pacifiers

In adults, the main things that cause sinusitis are infections and smoking.

Is sinusitis contagious?

Sinusitis itself cannot be passed from person to person, so it is not contagious. But the cause of your sinusitis is most likely infectious.

In most cases, the inflammation is caused by a common cold, or a viral infection, and that virus can spread through respiratory droplets, through the mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and even when you talk.

Also, some bacterial infections that cause sinusitis can be spread during close contact or by touching a contaminated object.