North Richmond Today

• 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. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said his office is equipped with everything necessary to diagnose and treat sinus and allergy conditions.

“A lot of what we do in ENT (ear, nose and throat) practices can be done in the office. We can provide patients quality care in the office instead of taking them to the hospital,” Ditto told North Richmond Today.

Mingling over the past holiday weekend could have potentially led to a higher 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 likely 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 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.