Question on Sinus Infection?

[BlueKota]

I thought I remembered my PCP saying they are not contagious. I asked Alexa and she confirmed that specific illness is not contagious, but the underlying condition i.e. a bad cold, could be contagious, depending on whatever viruses or bacteria caused it.

So basically isn't that just a long way of saying you could be contagious, and put others at risk of possibly getting something?

Got a really bad SI and called and canceled with my Psychiatrist, and called the companion service, and asked if they would call my aide, and give her the choice of whether she wants to come or reschedule. I don't want her to get it, but I also don't want her to lose pay because of me. Already had to cancel once this month.

I am kind of hoping she reschedule because I feel like 💩

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. The underlying cold will be no more contangious

than any other cold.

You could wear a mask to protect others.

[BlueKota]

2. Thank you!

[genxlib]

3. A sinus infection isn't contagious

However, the reason you got the sinus infection might be contagious.

In other words, if you have a cold that stuffs up your nose for a time, it can become infected. If you still have the cold, then you can pass the cold along. But you can't pass the SI along.

I was prone to SIs for decades because I was a stubborn young man who refused to treat colds. I figured you could not cure them so why bother. But the reality is that you can curb the symptoms of a cold. So I have become a big believer in cold medicine. It isn't just that they make me feel marginally better. The primary benefit is that they keep my head clear so that the SI does not have a chance to set in.

As a result, I have not had an SI in a very long time.

[BlueKota]

4. Thank you. My aide came, but I wore a mask just in case.

I unfortunately can't take cold medicine because of other medications that I am on. The doctor did say flushing the nasal passages with saline solution might help as well as using a vaporizer and a non drowsy allergy med.

It's weird because like you, I used to get a lot of sinus infections but I hadn't one or even a cold in years. I had Covid in 2021, even after vaccine, but nothing since until now.

[Warpy]

5. Yhe inection is usually sequestered inside the sinus, meaning it can't get out

because all the tissues are inflamed and swollen shut. That's what causes the pressure and pain.

By the time the tissues shrink and the sinus finally lets go of a flood of green stuff, the bugs are all dead.

So your chances of spreading this to anyone are minimal, although I'd probably mask for visits to frail elderly people.

The best reason to reschedule the doctor and the aide is because you're just not feeling well enough to cope. Otherwise, you're extremely unlikely to pass anything on to a healthy person.

[BlueKota]

6. Thank you