How long should you stay off work with a sinus infection?

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of Americans are diagnosed with sinusitis annually, impacting productivity.

Knowing how long should you stay off work with a sinus infection? is crucial for your recovery and preventing the spread of illness to colleagues.

Quick Summary

The duration you need to stay off work for a sinus infection depends on the cause (viral or bacterial) and symptom severity. For acute infections, it's advisable to rest during the peak of symptoms to fully recover, typically staying home if you have a fever or feel overly fatigued, and returning once you feel well enough and are no longer contagious.

Key Points

Rest During Peak Symptoms: Stay home for the first 1-3 days, especially if you have a fever or severe fatigue, to aid recovery and prevent spreading a viral infection.
Consider Your Symptoms: Evaluate factors like fever, headache, and fatigue. If symptoms are severe and disruptive, rest is your best option.
Viral vs. Bacterial: Most sinus infections are viral and not contagious after the peak symptoms subside, but if it becomes bacterial, you are no longer contagious but still need rest.
Job Type Matters: If your job involves public interaction or physical labor, staying home is crucial for public health and personal safety.
Communicate with Employer: If you have severe or chronic symptoms, communicate with your employer and consider a gradual return or remote work options.
When to See a Doctor: Seek medical advice if symptoms persist beyond 10 days, worsen, or are accompanied by a high fever.

Understanding the Types of Sinus Infections

Before deciding on work leave, it's important to distinguish between the two main types of sinus infections:

Acute Sinusitis: This is a short-term infection, often triggered by a virus, like the common cold, but sometimes by bacteria. Symptoms typically last from 7 to 10 days. Most cases resolve on their own, but if symptoms worsen or persist beyond 10 days, it could be bacterial, requiring medical attention and potentially antibiotics.
Chronic Sinusitis: This condition involves sinus inflammation that lasts for 12 weeks or longer, despite medical treatment. It can be caused by infection, growths (polyps), or inflammation of the lining of the sinuses. Managing chronic sinusitis requires ongoing medical supervision, and time off work may be necessary during severe flare-ups or for medical procedures.

Factors Influencing Your Decision to Stay Home

Several factors play a role in determining the appropriate amount of time off:

Contagiousness

If your sinus infection is caused by a virus (which is most common), you are typically contagious during the first few days of the illness, particularly when symptoms like a runny nose and coughing are most severe. Staying home during this peak period protects your colleagues from infection. A bacterial infection, on the other hand, is not generally contagious.

Symptom Severity

Your symptoms are a major indicator. Consider if you are experiencing:

Fever: A fever is a clear sign that your body is fighting a significant infection. The CDC generally recommends staying home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Headache and Facial Pain: Severe headaches and facial pain or pressure can make it difficult to concentrate and be productive at work. If your pain is distracting or requires strong medication, it's best to rest at home.
Fatigue: Extreme fatigue is a common symptom of infection. If you don't have the energy to perform your job effectively and safely, taking a day or two to rest is the best course of action for a faster recovery.
Coughing and Nasal Discharge: Excessive coughing or sneezing not only spreads germs but can also disrupt your workplace. If your symptoms are disruptive, it's best to stay away until they are under control.

Job Requirements

The nature of your work also matters. For example:

Customer-facing roles: If your job involves direct contact with the public, taking time off minimizes the risk of spreading your illness to customers or clients.
Physically demanding jobs: Intense physical activity can strain your body, potentially delaying your recovery. A sinus infection can also affect your balance or cause dizziness, posing a safety risk.

A Comparison of Acute vs. Chronic Sinusitis and Work Leave


Aspect	Acute Sinusitis	Chronic Sinusitis
Cause	Primarily viral, sometimes bacterial	Infection, polyps, inflammation
Duration	7–10 days (can extend to 4 weeks)	12 weeks or more
Work Leave	Typically short-term, 1–3 days or until fever-free	Intermittent leave for flare-ups or extended leave for treatment
Contagiousness	Contagious during peak viral symptoms	Not typically contagious
Recovery	Rest and hydration, OTC medication	Ongoing management, medical treatment

Returning to Work Smartly

Gradual Return and Adjustments

For many, returning to work gradually can help. Consider discussing options like working from home for a few days, if possible, or taking it easy your first day back. This helps ease your transition without overexerting yourself.

Practice Good Hygiene

When you do return, remain vigilant with your hygiene to protect others. Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and avoid close contact with colleagues. This is especially important for the first few days back when you might still be clearing the last of the virus.

When to Seek a Doctor's Note

While a doctor's note may not be required for short absences, it is wise to visit a healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen, last longer than 10 days, or are accompanied by a high fever. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis, determine if antibiotics are needed, and provide a note if necessary.

The Importance of Rest

Ultimately, your body needs adequate rest to fight off an infection. Pushing yourself to work when you are clearly unwell can prolong your illness, increase your risk of a secondary infection, and reduce your productivity. Taking time off allows your immune system to function optimally and ensures a quicker, more complete recovery.

For more information on infection prevention in the workplace, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how long should you stay off work with a sinus infection, but following these guidelines based on your symptoms and the type of infection will help you make an informed decision. Prioritizing your health is the best way to ensure you return to work fully recovered and ready to be productive.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your sinus infection is viral, it is contagious, especially during the first few days when you are experiencing peak symptoms like sneezing and coughing. Once those symptoms subside, the risk of spreading the illness decreases. Bacterial infections are not generally contagious.

Working from home can be a good option if your symptoms are mild enough that you can still be productive but severe enough that you would be uncomfortable or contagious in the office. Discuss this with your employer to see if it's feasible.

If your symptoms worsen or last longer than 10 days, you should consult a doctor. A worsening condition could indicate a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics or another underlying issue. Continue to stay home until you feel better.

This depends on your company's policy and how long you are off work. For a short absence, you may not need one, but if you require an extended leave or need proof for your HR department, a doctor's visit and note will be necessary.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, use hand sanitizer, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, and dispose of tissues properly. These habits help minimize the risk of spreading germs to colleagues.

While it is possible, a sinus headache can be very painful and affect your concentration. If the pain is severe and distracting, it's best to stay home and rest. If you need strong pain medication, operating machinery or driving could be unsafe.

An acute infection typically requires a short-term absence, likely a few days, while chronic sinusitis may necessitate intermittent time off for severe flare-ups or medical treatments, potentially requiring more long-term planning with your employer.