Sunshine Sentinel

• 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. Cody Aull | West Palm Beach Breathe Free

Halloween is all about scary fun -- until someone develops a sinus infection.

Halloween this year in particular was a multi-day event, bringing people closer together and making contagion more likely. If certain symptoms do appear, sufferers should seek professional help, Dr. Cody Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told Sunshine Sentinel.

"We offer CT and endoscopy in the office, along with allergy tests. We offer all of those things," Aull said.

CT procedures provide a clear idea of what needs to be done, even during surgery, Aull said.

"What's so cool is that we can use the CT scan during the surgery with tracking and things along those lines," he said. "We know where we are, and sometimes it's nice that the patient gets to see where it's tracked and that we're in the right place. They get to see the results with their own eyes."

Aull, an otolaryngologist and former U.S. Navy flight surgeon who received his doctor of osteopathic medicine from the University of Health Sciences/Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, specializes in diagnosing and managing ear, nose, sinuses, throat and other conditions.

West Palm Beach Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is located on North Flagler Drive.

While not tied to any religious or civil observance, Halloween is a very popular holiday. A survey conducted by the National Confectioners Association in September found that 93% of Americans planned to celebrate Halloween in some way, according to Cision PR Newswire.

Halloween also fell on a Monday this year, effectively making it a weekend-long observance, which can make the event something of a super-spreader. Mingling over any holiday weekend means people in closer proximity, leading to increasing chances of getting a sinus infection by sharing contagious viruses, according to WebMD.

A sinus infection is not itself contagious, but the viruses that can lead to sinus infections are, and those infected with a virus may develop a sinus infection. Viruses spread from person to person through sneezing or coughing.

Sinus infections caused by allergies or bacteria are not contagious, but sinus infection sufferers should still cover their noses and mouths when sneezing, preferably into tissue or the crook of a clothed elbow. Everyone should wash their hands often and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

Allergy symptoms and common colds are more likely in the fall, around Halloween, and remain common well into winter. What allergy and cold sufferers may not realize is that their symptoms could devolve into sinus infections. Allergies, colds and sinus infections have many of the same symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between them. If symptoms such as congestion last longer than 10 days, it might be time to see a doctor about whether a sinus infection has developed, Dr. Tran Locke -- an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who works at Baylor College of Medicine -- told the Houston Chronicle.

Other sinus infection symptoms include a feeling of pressure in the face, decreased sense of smell, tooth pain and fever. Many patients can resolve their symptoms through medication, but for some, a minimally invasive surgery might be the best option, Locke said.

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.