Yes, you should generally stay home with a sinus cold (viral sinusitis) to rest and avoid spreading germs, especially if you have a fever or feel too sick to work; however, if symptoms are mild, practicing good hygiene (handwashing, covering coughs) and working from home might be an option, but bacterial sinus infections are less contagious and usually require a doctor's visit if severe.
Sinus infections can be viral or bacterial. “Either way, it's best to stay home,” Wigmore says. Viral sinus infections are often contagious. If you have had symptoms longer than one week, or if you have severe facial pain, teeth/jaw pain, or fever, you may have a bacterial infection and should consult your doctor.
To relieve pregnancy sinus pressure, use safe methods like saline nasal sprays/rinses, steam inhalation, humidifiers, and warm compresses; stay hydrated with water/broth; elevate your head when sleeping; and consider pregnancy-safe OTC nasal sprays (like Rhinocort) or antihistamines (like Chlorpheniramine) after checking with your doctor, who can also recommend what's safe.
Sinus infections themselves are not contagious, but the underlying causes can be. Most sinus infections are triggered by viruses or bacteria, which can spread from person to person. However, inflammation leading to sinus infections can also be triggered by noninfectious causes.
An acute sinus infection can cause yellow or green nasal discharge, nasal stuffiness, facial pain or pressure, headache, or aching in the upper jaw and teeth. If you feel too sick to work, stay home. You may have so much throbbing facial pain or headache that you can't concentrate on your job.
Your body will benefit more from rest than from a walk. No matter where in your body your sinus infection is living, it's best to avoid activities that require balance.
Sinusitis red flags signal a severe infection needing urgent care, including severe eye symptoms (swelling, redness, vision changes like double vision), high fever, stiff neck, confusion, severe facial swelling/numbness, or neurological changes (difficulty walking/talking), indicating potential spread to the eyes or brain. For less severe cases, seek care if symptoms last over 10 days, worsen after improving ("double sickening"), or include severe facial pain/toothache, suggesting bacterial sinusitis.
The short answer is that sinus infections themselves are generally not contagious. However, the underlying causes, particularly viral infections like the common cold, are spreadable. When you come into contact with someone with a cold or flu, you can catch the virus, which may lead to a sinus infection.
Prolonged Congestion – If your nasal congestion lasts longer than 10 days without improvement, this could be a sign that sinusitis has developed. Thick Yellow or Green Mucus – While cold-related mucus is often clear, sinus infections tend to produce thick, yellow, or green mucus.
Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a great home remedy and natural treatment for sinus infections. Using eucalyptus, peppermint or other scents can possibly help open up the respiratory tract. These essential oils can be put into some home humidifiers, or used in a hot shower, which diffuses the scent.
Common symptoms of sinus infection include:
Use your index fingers to gently press either side of your nose, at the base of your nostrils. Circle under your cheekbones, toward your ears, and up to your temples, above your eyebrows and down the sides of your nose. You'll make a full circle, starting back where you started. Try it the other direction, too.
The good news is that, despite these challenges, a sinus infection will most likely not affect your unborn child. The first step is to determine whether or not you have sinusitis.
If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
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Sinus infections are common and usually not serious. They can have many causes, including viruses and bacteria, nasal polyps or allergies. You can usually care for yourself at home by resting, taking over-the-counter products and drinking plenty of fluids.
“Normally, mucus is clear. When you have a cold or infection, it might turn green or yellow,” said Alyssa.
Key Differences Between the Common Cold and Sinus Infections
Cold symptoms typically peak within 2-3 days and start to improve within a week. On the other hand, sinus infection symptoms persist for 10 days or more without any sign of improvement.
“You may have a cough, runny nose, congestion, sore throat and fever, but you will have additional symptoms related to your sinuses,” Dr. Minior said. “These may include facial pain, sneezing, really bad congestion (more than just a stuffy nose) and a worsening cough due to sinus congestion.”
Sinus infections and COVID-19 can both cause congestion and sore throats, but COVID-19 often presents with additional symptoms like body aches and loss of smell. Understanding the key differences between COVID and a sinus infection can help with getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
If you're combating a sinus infection following a cold or flu, rest can help you recuperate. However, rest is unlikely to relieve fatigue associated with chronic sinusitis. If you have chronic sinusitis, your immune system is working overtime, which can cause you to feel tired.
The biggest difference between the common cold and a sinus infection is the length of time it lasts. For most people, recovery from a cold will take five to 10 days, but sinusitis can last for up to four weeks, or even several months if it becomes chronic (long-term) sinusitis.
Remember, while sinus infections themselves don't spread between people, the viral infections that often cause them remain contagious for 7-10 days, or until symptoms significantly improve. Practicing good hygiene during this period protects others while you focus on recovery.
ANSWER: Allergies and sinus infections often are mistaken for one another. But they are two separate conditions. By paying close attention to the specific symptoms you have, you can usually identify which one is more likely to be causing the problem.
Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are packed with vitamin C, which helps your body fight infections. This vitamin strengthens your immune system and may help reduce the severity of colds and sinus infections. Adding fresh citrus to your diet can be a simple way to support your ENT health.