East Panhandle 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.

Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said his office is equipped with everything necessary to diagnose sinus problems. 

“The best way to diagnose sino-nasal diseases is by a physical exam and getting a good history,” Blair told East Panhandle News. “What are your sinus symptoms? Do you have trouble breathing through your nose? Is it purulent discharge coming from your nose? Is it headaches? Is it all three? And then once we get a good look inside the nose, usually with a little telescope, it takes probably about 15 seconds to see how that nasal anatomy looks, if you have any signs of infection during times of inflammatory disease, to find an allergy. And when we get that information, we usually get a CT scan to see what is happening inside the sinus.”

Mingling over the past holiday weekend could have potentially led to a greater chance of getting a sinus infection, as sinus infections caused by viruses can be contagious, according to WebMD. The viruses can be spread through the air if someone sneezes or coughs and doesn’t cover their nose or mouth. The viruses can also be spread by touch if people don’t wash their hands and touch their eyes, nose and mouth.

PR Newswire reported that a survey by the National Confectioners Association in September found that 93% of Americans were planning to celebrate Halloween in some way.

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, making to difficult to distinguish between the three.

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. While many patients can resolve their symptoms through medication, Locke said a minimally invasive surgery might be a better option to treat an underlying condition.

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.