Today my son came home complaining of a blocked nose, headache and facial pressure. I told him he most likely had sinusitis or a sinus infection due to a cold he’d been battling for a week.
Immediately my daughter, drama vibe activated, made a gagging sound, reached for her face mask and told her brother to stay in his room for the next three weeks. There was NO way she was getting sick.
Don’t worry, I told her as she grabbed the Glen20 to spray directly on her brother. Sinus infections aren’t contagious.
Are you sure? she asked.
Hmm… Are sinus infections contagious? I didn’t think so but I actually wasn’t 100% on this. In fact, I wasn’t 100% sure on anything about sinus infections, other than I know they can really hurt.
So, let’s delve into the facts about sinus infections and what you can do about them. Because, as cold and flu season approaches, odds are someone in your family will bring home a cold bug which may lead to the dreaded sinusitis.
First things first, what’s a sinus infection anyway?
A sinus infection is an infection of inflammation of the sinuses, or the little cavities within the bones of the face, namely the nasal mucosa and the paranasal sinuses.
Its medical name is rhinosinusitis but it’s commonly known as sinusitis.
This inflammation and congestion can cause headaches, facial pain or pressure, blocked nose or ears, nasal discharge, and a loss of taste or smell. I liken it to feeling like you’ve bruised your face but everyone will experience the pain slightly differently. My son also complained that in addition to feeling like his “face was on fire”, he also had sore teeth.
Sinusitis usually develops after the first signs and symptoms of a cold (virus). This is the most common cause of a sinus infection but you can also develop it from a bacterial infection as well as allergies and environmental factors such as smoking.
My son’s sinusitis most likely developed from a cold he had been battling for a week.
What are the symptoms of sinus infections?
“How do you know it’s a sinus infection, mum?”, my son asked after I explained to him what he most likely had.
Because I am a magical wise wizard who knows everything, is what I wanted to tell him. But this would just result in several eye rolls and the door being slammed in my face so I figured I would play it cool.
You see, congested son, sinusitis and colds have similar symptoms. Both share symptoms of a stuffed or blocked nose (nasal congestion), a runny nose, a cough, a sore throat and/or tiredness.
Cold symptoms generally start to disappear around the three to five-day mark. Sinus infections, however, linger and usually start around a week after you first notice cold symptoms.
Other common symptoms of sinusitis (apart from congestion) include:
- Thick, yellow or greenish mucus from the nose
- Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that gets worse when bending over
- Ear pressure, toothache and headache
- Changed sense of smell
- Tiredness and fever
Are sinus infections contagious?
No. Sinus infections are NOT contagious. But… common colds are. Let me repeat: Sinus infection symptoms will not be passed on, but cold symptoms will.
So, while spraying her brother with Glen20 is a tad dramatic, my daughter was correct in wanting to keep him away as he was still displaying cold symptoms.
Can I take something for my sinusitis?
There are a few options for sinusitis treatment. Pain medication such as Panadol can take away some of the pain from the pressure but generally won’t be effective when battling specific symptoms like a blocked nose.
Fluids are always a good idea, and I have found a hot (or cold) compress on their face can take away some of the pressure and pain.
If the painful symptoms have lingered for a long time (10 days or more), you should see a doctor to confirm if it’s bacterial or viral. If it’s bacterial, you will need antibiotics.
However, in most instances, the infection will be viral and your best bet for treatment is Sinupret®.
What’s Sinupret®?
It’s a herbal formula designed especially to target the symptoms of sinus infections. In the same way, you think of Pandaol for pain, think of Sinupret® for sinusitis.
Sinupret® hydrates your sinuses and promotes the break-up of mucus, relieving nasal congestion, discomfort and inflammation.
Sinupret® comes in syrup and tablets and is suitable for children and adults. For children (two and up), look into Sinupret® Syrup. For adults and teens (from 12+), your best bet is Sinupret® forte tablets but Sinupret® Syrup is also fine for adults and kids who prefer syrup over tablets.
Relief from sinusitis symptoms with Sinupret®
With both Sinupret® Syrup and Sinupret® forte, you can expect relief from those pesky and painful sinus infection symptoms. The formula provides anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory effects to relieve symptoms by loosening mucus, opening the nose and clearing the head.
Sinupret can:
- Reduce the duration of sinus headaches
- Relieve inflammation and discomfort from the pressure caused by sinusitis
- Decrease post-nasal drip down the back of your throat
- Relieve mild upper respiratory tract congestion
Getting Better Together
The next time you are at the chemist, pick yourself up a pack of Sinupret® to keep in the medicine cabinet, just in case anyone comes home complaining of sinusitis symptoms. As winter approaches, you can expect colds and flu to flourish and you never know when sinusitis will strike.
This is a sponsored post for Actor Pharmaceuticals
*Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
