Antibiotics For Sinus Infection Pregnant

When Can I Resume Taking Antibiotics

It is safe to resume taking most all antibiotics after delivery, but there are certain precautions to take if you are breastfeeding. It’s important to ensure the medicine you’re taking is safe for your child since it can pass through breastmilk during feeding.

That said, the CDC concluded that most prescription medications are safe to take while breastfeeding. When it comes to antibiotics, however, there are certain types that should be avoided, according to Dr. Chisoholm.

” typically recommended to avoid metronidazole and tetracycline while breastfeeding,” she says. Metronidazole is commonly used for bacterial infections of the vagina, and tetracycline is often used to combat bacterial infections such as gastritis, pneumonia, and chlamydia.

Of course, it’s always important to speak with your healthcare provider about any antibiotics you plan on taking while breastfeeding.

Is The Fetus Affected

A sinus infection by itself has a low chance of harming the developing fetus. It is worth noting, however, that in rare circumstances, symptoms can result in complications.

Being pregnant may also impact how severe the sinus infection symptoms are.

For instance, one studyobserved the effect that a pregnant womans body mass index and stage of pregnancy could have on nasal congestion. The researchers discovered that both enhanced BMI and gestational age have a significant influence on the degree of nasal congestion throughout pregnancy.

They claim that women with gestational diabetes or several pregnancies may be more at risk of getting pregnancy-induced rhinitis. This could be because of a rise in pregnancy hormones.

The researchers also state that recurring nasal congestion could come with risks for a fetus development and growth due to a gradual drop of oxygen.

Complications like these are quite rare, and with the right treatment, the threats to the fetus are rather low.

Another study came to find that nasal congestion from allergies had nothing to do with birth outcomes. In fact, there was a less frequent occurrence of congenital abnormalities in the babies of women who had faced these symptoms.

Common Antibiotics For Sinus Infections

Antibiotics may be prescribed when symptoms of a sinus infection warrant such treatment. Common antibiotics for sinus infection include:

• Zithromax
• Levaquin : Although this drug is often prescribed as a first line of therapy for sinusitis, it has serious side effects and should only be used as a last resort.

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Signs Of A Sinus Infection During Pregnancy

If youre pregnant and havent had much experience with sinus infections in the past, you might wonder what hit you. Chances are you have a sinus infection if you notice:

• Yellow or green drainage from your nose
• Nasal congestion
• Facial pressure
• Headaches

When these symptoms last more than a week to 10 days without any improvement, its probably a bacterial infection instead of a viral one, notes Ahmad R. Sedaghat, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the department of otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In that case you may need to be prescribed antibiotics, so be sure to let your doctor know if your symptoms worsen.

While sinus pressure and pain in pregnancy might leave you feeling pretty under the weather, the good news is that the infection wont affect your baby.

• Why Do Sinus Infections Happen?

The treatment for a sinus infection depends on the type of sinusitis and the source of the inflammation or infection. You might feel better with treatment for your symptoms as your sinus infection resolves.

Acute viral sinusitis can usually resolve on its own, acute bacterial sinusitis can usually be cured with antibiotics, and anti-fungal medications might be needed for treating fungal sinusitis, Getting treatment for allergies that might be contributing to an acute or chronic sinus infection can help, and endoscopic surgery may be needed in some cases of chronic sinusitis.

Verywell / Tim Liedtke

Data Sources And Literature Search

A systematic review of the English language literature was conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The search titles, abstract screening, and full manuscript review was performed independently by two authors . The level of evidence was graded according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence Based Medicine 2009 criteria.

A comprehensive search strategy using PRISMA guidelines was developed . Randomized controlled trials , comparative studies, observational studies, case series, and case reports were evaluated for eligibility.

Search methodology and results of the systematic review.

Studies related to rhinitis and rhinosinusitis were both evaluated, as these conditions may be difficult to distinguish in the absence of radiologic testing or rhinoscopy. Studies that comprised primary research on pregnant human females were included. Studies were excluded if they consisted of animal or in vitro research, or if they were review articles with no primary research data.

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When To See Your Doctor

A sinus infection can resolve itself with home treatment. But there are times when you should see a doctor.

Make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms dont improve with OTC medications or home remedies, or if your symptoms worsen.

Contact your doctor if you have a fever higher than 101°F , or if you start coughing up green or yellow mucus. Also see your doctor if you have recurrent sinus infections.

Leaving a severe sinus infection untreated increases the risk of complications, such as meningitis. Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes in the brain or spinal cord.

An untreated infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, eyes, and skin. It can also affect your sense of smell.

Use Of Oral Corticosteroids For Crs Exacerbations During Pregnancy

Evidence Level: Zero no studies found one review article outlined the pregnancy risks associated with antibiotics, antihistamines, decongestants, and intranasal steroids.

Expert Panel Recommendations: Corticosteroids in short bursts may be safe after the first trimester. Use is better justified in severe CRS, especially if causing exacerbation of asthma. Consultation with patients obstetrician is recommended.

Underlying Values & Preferences: Places high value on maternal and fetal safety over sinonasal symptom control.

Remarks: Based upon the asthma literature, oral CCS use would be expected to be associated with slightly increased risk for cleft lip with or without cleft palate, increased incidence of preeclampsia, and the delivery of both preterm and low birth weight infants. The risks of CCS use are outweighed by risks of undertreated asthma, but this justification is less so in CRS and clinical judgment must be exercised. First trimester use has the greatest risk of potential teratogenicity. CCS cause hyperglycemia and can lead to/worsen diabetes, causing additional maternal-fetal risks. Patients should undergo diabetes testing prior to use, especially if a longer course of corticosteroids is being considered. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers oral steroids to be compatible with breastfeeding.

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Medications To Avoid During Pregnancy

Always check with your doctor or OBGYN before taking any medications prescription, over-the-counter, or homeopathic particularly the following.

• Pain relievers and fever reducers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause pregnancy complications, particularly if taken during the third trimester.
• Avoid non-steroidal nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline.
• Dont take supplemental vitamins or herbal remedies without medical approval.

How To Safely Take Antibiotics In Pregnancy

The best way to take your antibiotics is to follow your doctors instructions. Because antibiotics have been used too much in the past, your doctor might be careful about what they give you.

Your doctor will choose the best type for you. They might think about other factors before giving you antibiotics. These might include:

• Avoiding antibiotics in the first trimester
• Testing to confirm the type of infection
• Giving the smallest dose possible
• Giving antibiotics for the shortest time possible
• Using only one type of antibiotic
• Only giving antibiotics when necessary

Antibiotics can interact with other medications or over-the-counter drugs. Your doctor might tell you not to take antibiotics with any other medicine.

Take as directed. Sometimes when you take antibiotics you start to feel better right away. Its important to take your medicine until its finished and the way your doctor says. This might help stop the bacteria from becoming resistant to the medicine.

Use other safe remedies. If you have a common cold or other minor conditions, your doctor likely wont give you antibiotics. Instead, ask about other over-the-counter medicine that is safe for you to take when youre pregnant. Other self-care practices for the common cold might be helpful, including:

• Hot shower
• Saline nasal spray
• Warm salt water gargle

If you dont get better or you have new symptoms, make sure to talk to your doctor to rule out more serious conditions.

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Use Of Topical Corticosteroids For Crs Maintenance Therapy During Pregnancy

Evidence Level: Zero no studies on topical nasal steroids for CRS during pregnancy.

Expert Panel Recommendations: All modern nasal CCS should be safe to use for CRS maintenance during pregnancy at recommended doses including budesonide, fluticasone and mometasone. The off-label use of budesonide irrigations or CCS nasal drops is not recommended.

Underlying Values & preferences: Places value on maternal sinonasal inflammation control and quality of life during pregnancy while prioritizing fetal safety.

Is It Safe To Take Antibiotics Or Painkillers For Sinusitis While Pregnant

As if sinusitis wasnt frustrating enough, during pregnancy it can be even more irritating as you cant necessarily treat it with the medicines and tablets you might be used to.

Its ethically wrong to test most medicines on pregnant women and babies, so because we really dont know the problems they could cause, its best to avoid them, explains Lorraine.

She recommends avoiding any medicines during the first 3 months of pregnancy, although after 12 weeks, some medication such as paracetamol can be taken.

Wed also advise that you always pop down to see your GP for a chat before you take anything, though.

I started to have sinus congestion at 15th week, says forum member dg0209. I tried to cope with it without any medication but the headaches were unbearable. My GP told me to take paracetamol 4×2 p/d and prescribed a nasal spray.

Many health professionals also feel that antibiotics such as Amoxicillin are perfectly safe to take during pregnancy, but again, speak to your doctor as it totally depends on your own personal situation.

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All Symptoms Point To A Sinus Infection

Sinus headache behind the eyes check. Sinus cavity pain check. Congested nasal passages check. Even when all signs suggest that you have a sinus infection, its still a good idea to reach out to a medical provider who can help determine if your infection is viral or bacterial.

Viral sinus infections are most common, and usually stem from a viral infection like the common cold. If your infection is viral in nature, antibiotics wont help because they dont, and cant, attack viruses. Instead, treatment includes a blend of over-the-counter medications, in a safe dosage and combination, to help bring relief while your immune system fights the virus.

Bacterial infections are also likely to follow a viral cold that evolves into a bacterial infection within the sinus passages. Bacterial sinusitis is less common overall, but more likely if your symptoms continue to worsen and stick around for more than 10 days. Treatment for a bacterial sinus infection often includes an antibiotic.

For either type of infection, reducing the pain and pressure are the key to getting you back to 100%.

Looking For Sinusitis Treatment In The Dallas/fort Worth Area

If youre suffering from sinusitis during pregnancy, take the first step toward finding relief by contacting one of our numerous convenient Dallas/Fort Worth area offices.

At DFW Sinus Select, our sinus doctors provide the highest quality, state-of-the-art specialty medical care in a personalized and compassionate manner.

Contact us to schedule your consultation today.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Sinusitis

Here are signs you may be sporting a lovely case of sinusitis, rather than a cold:

• Green or yellow discharge from the nose
• A blocked nose ?
• A reduced sense of smell
• Bad breath ?

Many of the mums on our forums found they got these symptoms around the 14-week mark. However, sinusitis seems to like the element of surprise, and can occur at any stage of your pregnancy.

Safe Options For Treatment

While there may be temptations to go for the common over-the-counter medications for fast relief, some of these drugs could be dangerous, based on the period of the pregnancy.

A doctor might prescribe corticosteroids to handle nasal congestion, butonly following the initial trimester.

It is highly recommended to avoid the following drugs when pregnant, although a few doctors may prescribe them at small dosages, particularly for those suffering from allergies:

• Oral decongestants
• Antihistamines
• Ibuprofen

Other effective OTC medications and home remedies are okay to take during pregnancy. A doctor can advise the most ideal treatment options for your unique needs.

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Performance Of Sinus Surgery In Patients With Recurrent Recalcitrant Crs With Polyps Prior To Planned Pregnancy

Evidence Level: Zero no relevant studies.

Expert Panel Recommendations: Surgery may be considered prior to the pregnancy. In general, surgery that is not for a life threatening process should be avoided during pregnancy. Emergency surgery for complicated and acute/chronic sinusitis may be done with close anesthesia supervision. However, office procedures under local anesthesia may be some helpful alternatives in severely symptomatic CRS pregnant patients. These include polypectomy, indicated balloon sinuplasty, and turbinate surgery under local anesthesia.

Underlying Values & preferences: Prioritizes fetal safety value also placed to maternal quality of life.

Sinus Infection While Pregnant: When To Call A Doctor

Jillian Stenzel

Jillian Stenzel

A Nevada-bred traveler & food nerd who dances & eats spinach, sometimes simultaneously. She writes from wherever her curiosity demands, and is passionate about spreading the wisdom of better health.

Ken Cosby M.D.

Ken Cosby M.D.

Dr. Ken Cosby received his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and completed his research post-doc work at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health including the National Heart Lung Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute.

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold During Pregnancy

A cold usually begins with a sore or scratchy throat that lasts for a day or two, followed by the gradual appearance of other symptoms, including:

• A runny, then later stuffy, nose
• Sneezing
• Mild fatigue
• A dry cough, particularly near the colds end, which may continue for a week or more after other symptoms have subsided
• Low-grade fever

Is Your Sinus Infection Caused By A Virus Or Bacteria

Physicians may not know if sinusitis is bacterial or viral, because the diagnosis is typically done by observing symptoms. Symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Thick nasal or post-nasal drainage

Sometimes other tests such as computed tomography scan or cultures are used to help make the diagnosis.

Despite the recommendations that antibiotic use be judicious, they are still overused for sinusitis, according to many physicians who specialize in treating sinus problems.

Some physicians say they give patients with sinusitis a prescription for antibiotics, and recommend they wait three to five days before filling it, and only fill it if symptoms are not better by then. A can be used to help relieve your symptoms and promote drainage.

The longer symptoms last, the more likely a sinus problem is to be a bacterial infection, some experts say.

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When Is A Z

Spoiler alert: its not! Because its so easy to use, the Z-Pak used to be a go-to prescription for sinus infections. But it turns out that only a minority of these prescriptions are appropriate because the majority of sinus infections are viral and not bacterial. In fact, studies have found that about a third of antibiotic prescriptions for sinus infections, sore throats, and ear infections arent even necessary. Overprescribing antibiotics increases the chance that bacteria will become resistant to them and disrupt the gut bacterial flora for months. Indeed, azithromycin is no longer recommended for bacterial sinus infections due to the risk of resistance.

If you have a sinus infection, expect to feel lousy for several days. After all, your body is waging war against an infection. You might experience:

• A runny nose

• A sore throat

• A cough

Youre also likely to feel more tired and achy and maybe even experience a low-grade fever. Most people improve within a week, but symptoms can last up to 2 weeks. Coughs can linger for a week after that.

Treating a sinus infection boils down to whether its viral or bacterial. Colds, for example, are viral. And antibiotics like the Z-Pak are not effective against viral infections. In fact, viral sinus infections have no cure. Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and includes:

If you still dont feel better, your healthcare provider may suggest nasal or lung inhalers for other symptoms.

• Diarrhea

How To Treat A Sinus Infection When You Are Pregnant

Unless you have a bacterial infection, many sinus infections are generally viral, and taking antibiotics does usually not improve the condition.

Like for cold or flu in pregnancy, the safest options to alleviate the sinus are to treat the symptoms by using certain well-known home remedies, like:

• Nasal irrigationSaltwater irrigation will help keep the nasal passage lining moist, while at the same time eradicating backed-up gunk, also facilitating drainage.According to research, rinsing the nose with saline by itself can relieve signs of sinusitis and also nasal swelling, doctors suggest.Although both function fairly well, often the hypertonic saline is linked with nasal dryness or bleeding of the nose.

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Can I Take Dayquil While Pregnant

Medications to avoid during pregnancy

Decongestants like Sudafed and DayQuil are generally cautioned against after the first trimester and only in a limited amount. Avoid non-steroidal nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline. Dont take supplemental vitamins or herbal remedies without medical approval.

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