We live in society and constantly contact with people around us (family, colleagues, passengers in public transport and so on). It is not surprising that many have questions about the infectiousness of certain diseases, in particular the question arises: "Is sinusitis transmitted by airborne droplets?" To get the most accurate and understandable answer, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the basic information about the disease.
What is sinusitis
It is worth starting the discussion of the topic by receiving the answer to the question: "Sinusitis - what is this disease?" The inflammatory process in the area of the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses received this name.
In most cases, the disease occurs as a result of infection with various infections, so the question of whether sinusitis is an infectious disease or not can partially give a positive answer. But only partially, since there are other types of ailment. For example, with congenital pathologies, sinusitis can no longer be called an infectious disease, since the causes of its occurrence have a completely different nature.
Development reasons
Why can an unpleasant ailment occur? The main factors and causes of sinusitis in adults are:
- colds;
- flu;
- congenital or acquired deformation of the nasal septum;
- allergic reactions;
- prolonged exposure to high humidity;
- hypothermia;
- decreased immunity;
- dental disease.
Signs of the disease
The initial symptoms of sinusitis in adults can often be confused with a common cold. It:
- increase in body temperature to 37-38 degrees;
- headache;
- loss of smell;
- pain in the nose and temples;
- fatigue.
They begin to think about a possible sinusitis when the discomfort in the nose is replaced by constant aching pain, worse in the evening. It can spread to the jaw and forehead, which gives the patient even more inconvenience.
Often the presence of sinusitis can be seen and "there is" in the literal sense of the word. Many patients have minor edema on their faces.
Other symptoms of sinusitis in adults include:
- deterioration in overall health;
- fever;
- severe nasal congestion;
- purulent discharge from the nose, which may have an unpleasant odor;
- loss of smell;
- photophobia and increased lacrimation;
- intense pain in the forehead and nose, which increases with turns and tilts of the head, coughing, sneezing.
Types of sinusitis
Depending on the cause of the appearance or type of pathogen, sinusitis may be:
- bacterial;
- viral;
- allergic;
- odontogenic;
- congenital.
Is sinusitis transmitted by airborne droplets in each of these cases? Let's get it right.
Bacterial sinusitis
Sinusitis can also develop against the background of damage to the body by bacterial infections. Most often, pathogens are streptococcus, staphylococcus, mycoplasma and chlamydia. By the way, they play one of the main roles during the overflow of sinusitis from acute to chronic form.
As a rule, the presence of bacterial infections is accompanied by signs of colds. The latter are transmitted by airborne droplets, which means that this type of sinusitis is able to be transmitted to others.
Viral sinusitis
As we already know, the causative agent of the disease can be influenza and SARS. This happens because the body weakened by the disease is not able to fully resist the viruses attacking it. Which conclusion follows from this? Is sinusitis transmitted by airborne droplets in this case? The answer is yes! A sick person can be dangerous to others.
Allergic sinusitis
Frequent attacks of allergies can lead to the development of allergic sinusitis. Is it dangerous for others? The answer to this question will be negative. In this case, the source of the inflammatory process are allergens, from which only the patient suffers.
Odontogenic sinusitis
This name was given to the type of inflammation that was caused by diseases of the teeth, in particular, the upper jaw. Their roots can grow into the adnexa, which contributes to the development of the inflammatory process.
This type of sinusitis is also not dangerous to others. The only exceptions are cases when a viral or bacterial infection is attached, which is accompanied by signs of acute respiratory viral infection. In this case, people who are close to the patient should be careful.
Congenital sinusitis
The development of congenital sinusitis is associated with a curvature of the nasal septum. A similar pathology can occur as a result of factors such as:
- narrowing of the nasal cavity;
- drainage disturbances;
- maxillary sinus ventilation dysfunction.
This group also includes a disease that developed due to the ingress of bone fragments or another foreign body into the maxillary sinus cavity.
Is sinusitis transmitted by airborne droplets in this case? Logically, no. After all, the development of the disease is associated with the characteristics of the patient’s body, and not with damage by pathogens.
Chronic sinusitis
The absence or improper treatment of the acute stage of the disease can provoke its transition into a chronic form. This also happens in the presence of a constant source of inflammation (for example, diseased teeth). Is sinusitis contagious during an exacerbation in this case? Despite the fact that the probability is very low, but still it exists. Others should be careful about the patient, in particular, avoid contact with his secretions from the nose.
It is important to remember that bacterial sinusitis can be transmitted even during kisses. Therefore, it is important to abandon them until the moment of full recovery.
Treatment
If the infection did occur, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment of the disease. How to do this correctly will tell a specialist.
As a rule, in the case of sinusitis, complex therapy is provided. It will include taking antibiotics, vitamins, antipyretic and anti-allergic drugs. A mandatory component of the treatment are rinsing the nose with saline solutions, as well as the use of special vasoconstrictor drugs in the form of drops or spray.
In some cases, it may be necessary to carry out additional procedures, such as phototherapy, heating, or the use of ultra-high frequency currents.
As for the chronic form of the disease, everything is much more complicated here. In addition to standard treatment, patients may be prescribed:
- microwave therapy;
- electrophoresis of antibiotics and hormones;
- diadynamic currents;
- inhalation;
- diadynamophoresis;
- mud therapy;
- paraffin baths.
In cases where the use of drugs and additional procedures did not bring the desired result and recovery did not occur, a decision is made on surgical intervention. It involves a puncture of the maxillary sinuses with the aim of removing pus from them and administering drugs that will stop the inflammatory process. However, many consider this treatment method to be outdated, and patients complain of an increase in the recurrence of the disease after its use.
Prevention
Given the fact that some types of disease can be transmitted to others, in order to avoid infection, you need to take care of your safety. There are no special medicines for the prevention of sinusitis, therefore, all efforts should be directed towards observing other simple measures:
- lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes a full sleep and proper nutrition;
- take multivitamin preparations during the period of flu epidemics and colds;
- Do not forget about frequent hand washing with soap;
- avoid hypothermia;
- start playing sports, in particular, swimming is very useful;
- avoid contact with sick people;
- quit smoking, as tobacco smoke irritates the nasal mucosa;
- eliminate the factors contributing to the development of the disease: cure teeth, consult a surgeon to correct the shape of the nasal septum, and so on;
- take care of increasing immunity.
As for medications, oxolin ointment shows high efficiency in the prevention of not only sinusitis, but also various colds.
During the period of widespread respiratory illnesses, it is necessary to lubricate the nasal passages. This is done before going out. After returning home, it is important to clean the nose with cotton swabs and rinse with saline, special means (Aquamaris and other analogs) or normal saline.