Is sinusitis contagious?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 05, 2025
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Sinusitis is not a contagious disease and does not have definite transmissibility, as sinusitis is mainly due to acute or chronic bacterial infections. A small portion of patients suffer from fungal sinusitis caused by fungal infections. Generally speaking, sinusitis is an inflammatory response and is not contagious, so it does not qualify as a communicable disease. In terms of treatment, conservative drug treatment is the primary approach, with oral medications and nasal sprays being the first choice, along with the use of saline or separated seawater for irrigation. Generally, conditions can be effectively controlled with medication. For cases of fungal infection, or chronic sinusitis where conservative drug treatment is ineffective, it may be advisable to consider endoscopic sinus surgery, which generally involves minimally invasive procedures with relatively minimal trauma and good outcomes.

Other Voices

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is sinusitis the same as rhinitis?

There are differences between rhinitis and sinusitis. Rhinitis is mainly the inflammation of the nasal mucosa, while sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavity mucosa. The main clinical symptoms of rhinitis are nasal congestion and a runny nose. This runny nose is mostly mucous or watery, which is typically seen in allergic rhinitis. The runny nose in sinusitis, on the other hand, is often a thick yellow discharge caused by a bacterial infection, so there is a distinction between the two. Patients with sinusitis often have rhinitis, but those with rhinitis do not necessarily have sinusitis. Rhinitis is primarily treated with medications and rarely with surgery. For sinusitis, treatment also begins with medications; however, if the response to medical therapy is poor or the condition is severe, surgery is often considered. The likelihood of undergoing surgical intervention is generally higher for sinusitis than for rhinitis.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What is the method for examining sinusitis?

Sinusitis refers to the inflammation that occurs in the mucous membrane or cavity of the sinuses. Clinically, the examination of sinusitis includes two aspects: one is the clinical examination, such as anterior rhinoscopy to inspect the nasal cavity, nasal endoscopy to inspect the nasal cavity, the opening of the sinuses, and the nasal passages; on the other hand, some imaging examinations can also be used, such as sinus CT examination, which is very important, and if necessary, sinus MRI can also be performed; there are also some other examination methods, such as nasal resistance examination, examination of sinus and nasal secretions, etc. Therefore, there are quite a few examination methods, among all the examination methods, the most important are the nasal endoscopy and sinus CT examination.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does sinusitis require surgery?

Sinusitis does not necessarily require surgery; in some cases, medication treatment can be considered. This approach mainly depends on the severity of the sinusitis and the patient's overall symptoms. Especially for acute sinusitis or cases of mild chronic sinusitis, medication is generally the first choice. Furthermore, most patients can effectively alleviate symptoms and improve their condition through standardized medical treatment. The main treatments are oral medications and nasal sprays, and it is also advisable to consider cleansing the nasal cavity with saline solution followed by regular check-ups. In cases of fungal sinusitis or severe inflammatory reactions in chronic sinusitis, surgery might be considered. Generally, surgery is a common minimally invasive procedure with good outcomes.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis and Sinusitis

Chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis are due to persistent inflammation following acute inflammatory stimuli or recurrent attacks, leading to nasal and systemic symptoms. Patients may experience facial swelling and pain, headaches, and nasal congestion, generally bilateral and progressively worsening. Additionally, there may be yellow purulent discharge from the nasal cavity, sometimes accompanied by an odor. The examination can reveal congested and edematous bilateral nasal turbinates and abnormal secretions in the nasal cavity. For treatment, patients initially need a sinus CT scan; if sinusitis is confirmed, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary, including oral antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, which are relatively effective. Saline nasal irrigation is also required. If conservative treatment fails, the patient may need endoscopic sinus surgery and partial resection of the bilateral inferior turbinates to recover.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

The clinical symptoms of sinusitis vary widely among individuals, and in general, it is considered a common illness. The most frequent clinical manifestations include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. Some patients may also experience facial pain and numbness; however, specific symptoms vary from person to person. Some may exhibit only one symptom, while others may experience two to three, or even multiple symptoms, with the disease demonstrating recurrent and fluctuating patterns. In terms of treatment, medication remains the primary approach, supplemented by nasal irrigation. Only a small fraction of patients, whose symptoms do not improve with conservative medication treatments or who suffer from particularly severe inflammatory reactions like fungal sinusitis, may consider surgery.