NW Riverside News

• An overwhelming majority of Americans celebrate Halloween.
• Sinus infections caused by viruses are contagious.
• Common colds are more likely in the fall and winter, and they can lead to sinus infections.

People experiencing sinus problems should seek treatment promptly to prevent the problem from getting worse, according to Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.

“When you intervene earlier, your success is much higher, and you're also going to (have) a quicker and easier recovery,” Hershcovitch told NW Riverside News. “Those with very advanced sinus disease, even to the point of sinus failure, it makes our job a lot more difficult to get them to where they need to be. If the sinuses are so badly inflamed, it takes a little while to reverse -- versus earlier, much quicker.”

A survey conducted by the National Confectioners Association in September found that 93% of Americans were planning to celebrate Halloween in some way, according to Cision PR Newswire.

Mingling over the holiday weekend could lead to a higher chance of getting a sinus infection, as sinus infections caused by viruses can be contagious, according to WebMD. Although the sinus infection itself is not contagious, viruses that can cause sinus infections are contagious, and people who catch the virus may or may not develop a sinus infection. These viruses can be spread through the air, by someone sneezing or coughing.

Other causes of sinus infections, such as allergies or bacteria, are not contagious. People who have sinus infections should cover their noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing and should wash their hands often. Everyone else should also wash their hands often and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

While many people know that experiencing allergy symptoms and common colds is more common in the fall and winter, they may not realize that allergies and colds can devolve into sinus infections, according to the Houston Chronicle. Allergies, colds and sinus infections have many of the same symptoms, so it can be difficult to distinguish between them.

Dr. Tran Locke -- an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who works at Baylor College of Medicine -- said that if symptoms such as congestion last longer than 10 days, it might be time to see a doctor to determine whether a sinus infection has developed. Other symptoms could include a feeling of pressure in the face, a decreased sense of smell, tooth pain, or a fever.

Many patients can resolve their symptoms through medication, but for some, a minimally invasive surgery might be the best option in order to treat an underlying condition, Locke said. 

People who have experienced any of those symptoms, or other symptoms such as fatigue, can take this Self-Assessment Quiz to determine whether seeking treatment could be beneficial.