Introduction
Infection is possible via small droplets that are excreted when coughing or sneezing. How long the disease has been prevalent is important for the risk of infection; if the person has only recently become infected himself, the probability of passing the disease on is much higher. So the longer it has been since the outbreak of the disease, the less likely it is to infect another person.
Duration of the risk of infection
There is a risk of infection if the virus load, i.e. the number of pathogens, is particularly high. Even before the first symptoms appear, one is contagious for about 1-2 days. When the symptoms appear, the immune system reacts noticeably to the pathogen and tries to eliminate it. In the first 2-3 days of the symptoms, the risk of infection is highest, since the viruses are additionally spread by droplets through sneezing and coughing. After about 3 days, the majority of the viral load is excreted, an infection via droplets is then rather unlikely for a healthy immune system.
Duration of a sinusitis
The duration of the sinusitis can vary from a few days to several months in some cases. A typical viral infection resulting from a rhinitis can be cured by itself or with treatment in less than a week. In the case of bacterial pathogens, the healing can be delayed by another week.
Only in the case of very persistent pathogens and severe flow problems in the nose can the sinusitis also become chronic. Here, any long antibiotic doses or even surgical measures may have to be taken. The duration of the sick leave depends on the work, the wishes and the clinical picture of the patient.
The most common form of sinusitis, caused by viral pathogens, subsides by itself within about 4-5 days. Since the infection of other people and most symptoms are largely overcome after about 3 days, the doctor usually writes off sick for 2-3 days. In physically demanding professions or in the health service, a sick note can also be written for about a week.
If there is a suspicion of a bacterially triggered sinusitis, antibiotics can be administered. Typically, a drug such as “Amoxiciliin” is taken for about 5-7 days. Even if the symptoms improve significantly, the antibiotic should not be discontinued prematurely.
Bacteria that have not been eliminated can spread quickly and cause renewed inflammation. In the case of chronic inflammation, antibiotics can be administered together with other therapeutic procedures over several weeks. The majority of all sinusitis is not caused by bacteria.
Therefore, antibiotics only accelerate healing in a few cases. Bacterial inflammations that are not treated with antibiotics run the risk that the inflammation will not heal on its own. If the sinusitis is ignored for weeks despite pressure pain in the paranasal sinuses and tough yellow rhinitis, the infection can become chronic.
In this case, healing can be delayed for months. Under certain circumstances, the infection can only heal completely after weeks of therapy. Sudden toothache can indicate an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses.
The maxillary sinus also belongs to the sinuses and can cause supposed toothache. If the outflow of mucus is loosened by treatment, the pain and pressure of the sinuses should also subside after a few days. In some cases, the inflammation can also settle there and become chronic with long-lasting pain in the tooth.
If the frontal sinus is affected, there can also be unpleasant pain in the head, accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the forehead and temples. Together with rhinitis and mucous secretion, the headache should also subside within a few days. If not, a persistent infection may require further therapeutic steps.
