Thursday, March 21, 2024

Can Antibiotics Cure Sinus Infection

Diagnosing A Sinus Infection

Do antibiotics really help in managment of Sinus Infection? – Dr. Harihara Murthy

Since you cant tell if an infection is viral or bacterial just from looking at the symptoms, your surgeon will most likely run a few tests to diagnose the problem before recommending treatment. Diagnosing the infection can involve imaging to examine the sinuses and a mucus culture. Taking a sample of mucus from the nose or sinuses will help your surgeon determine if a bacteria is to blame and, if so, what type of bacteria is responsible. Knowing the type of bacteria thats causing your infection allows your surgeon to prescribe the type of antibiotic that would be most effective in treating it.

Interactions Of Amoxicillin For Sinusitis

As the Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet is allopathic medicine, it can easily react with other medicines that you are taking. The other medicines, when combined with Amoxicillin 500 mg tablet, can worsen the side effects of Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet.

Not only the side effects but any underlying health issue can also aggravate if this medicine is taken without the doctors approval.

Medicines that can interfere with Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet and can cause moderate or serious side effects are-

  • Allopurinol

Know here:Best sinus medicines to take

When Do You Really Need Antibiotics For That Sinus Infection

It was February, and clinic was teeming with respiratory infections of all kinds: mostly the common cold, but also bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus infections. The patients were coming in usually thinking that they needed antibiotics for their sinus infection, or another respiratory infection.The first patient on my schedule was a healthcare provider with sinus infection written down as her main issue.* Shed had about two weeks of nasal and sinus congestion which she blamed on a viral upper respiratory infection . Her two young kids had been sick with colds all winter, so she wasnt surprised to have these symptoms, along with endless postnasal drip and a cough.

Her congestion had improved a bit at one point, and she thought that she was finally getting better. But then, the day before her appointment, she awoke with throbbing pain between her eyes, completely blocked nasal passages, and, more concerning to her, green pus oozing from her left tear duct. She had body aches, chills, and extreme fatigue.

Also Check: What Type Of Antibiotic Is Used For Urinary Tract Infection

Double Dip Or Double Worsening Sign

This is a trick of the Ear Nose Throat Doctors. They have found that many of their patients with sinus infections get a prior viral infection and after 7-10 days get significantly better. Then wham! They get face pain, increased green and yellow nasal discharge, and fever. When I hear this story of getting better then worse, its always a sinus infection.

What Matters Most To You

How Sinus Infection Is Treated

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to take antibiotics for sinusitis

Reasons not to take antibiotics

I know I have a bacterial infection that is causing my sinusitis.

A virus is causing my sinusitis.

Read Also: What Antibiotic Is Used To Treat Strep Throat

Symptoms > 1 Week Are Not A Reason To Prescribe

One very important new finding in this meta-analysis that should change practice is that the duration of illness did not predict a positive response to antibiotics.

Current national recommendations are to use an antibiotic for patients with a duration of illness longer than 1 week, as these patients are presumably more likely to have a bacterial infection.- However, that recommendation had been based on expert opinion, not on data from clinical trials. A longer duration of symptoms should not be a reason to prescribe an antibiotic for sinusitis symptoms.

Managing Side Effects Of Antibiotics

While there are some cases in which you may be prescribed antibiotics for a common cold, these medications aren’t harmless. There are many side effects of antibiotics. Some are common, and others can be severe and potentially deadly.

In a dataset from 2013 and 2014, adverse drug reactions caused 4 out of every 1,000 emergency room visits each year. The most common reason for the visit among children was an adverse reaction to antibiotics.

If you or your child is experiencing side effects from a prescribed antibiotic, make sure to tell your healthcare provider to be certain its nothing to worry about. Theyll also let you know if you should continue taking it or stop.

If youre taking antibiotics, here are a few things you can do to help ward off some side effects of antibiotics:

  • Take a probiotic and eat fermented foods like yogurt and kefir.
  • Limit sun exposure.
  • Take your antibiotic as prescribed .
  • Make sure to store it correctly .
  • Ensure your healthcare provider knows about all other drugs and supplements youre taking.

Recommended Reading: How Long After Antibiotics Are You Contagious Strep

When Do I Really Need Antibiotics For A Sinus Infection

When do I really need antibiotics for a sinus infection? is a question many patients have when suffering from bothersome sinus and allergy problems. While sinus infections can be quite painful, antibiotics often do not help in treating the condition.

Sinus infections affect approximately 37 million people in the U.S. each year and can be caused by:

  • Viruses
  • Nasal polyps or deviated septum causing nasal obstruction
  • Irritants/pollutants

The majority of sinus infections are viral in nature, and antibiotics do not cure viral infections. Taking antibiotics for viral infections also will not:

  • Keep you from being contagious to others
  • Relieve symptoms or make you feel better

In order to distinguish a bacterial sinus infection from an infection caused by a virus or other contributing factor, your doctor will observe your symptoms and possibly conduct other tests, such as a CT scan or cultures.

Antibiotics are only effective on bacterial infections, and even in cases involving bacteria, the body can often cure itself of mild or moderate infections within a few days.

Recommended Reading: Ways To Clear Sinus Pressure

Treatments For Sinus Infections Other Than Antibiotics

Sinus Infections Shouldn’t be Treated with Antibiotic
#1: Saline Nasal Wash

Saline nasal wash can be a great way to thin out the mucous in the sinuses enough to clear out the blockage. I recommend starting this early on in the course of the illness to prevent the infection from worsening.

You can even make this at home using 2 cups of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. I would add a 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda to prevent burning that can occur with use. There are also plenty of over the counter saline nasal sprays that you can purchase. You can use this 4-6 times per day.

#2: Vaporizer

Vaporizers are great because they can also thin out the mucous and make you feel a lot better. An easy home remedy, steam is probably the best way to use this treatment. Beware if you are an asthmatic as the steam could cause worsening of the asthma symptoms.

#3: Steroid Nasal Spray

Steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase have been my go to remedy recently and the great news is that they are now over the counter. The general recommendation is to use 1-2 sprays per nostril daily.

But I have found great relief using 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily. At these higher doses it is important to remember that you should use this short term, no more than 5-7 days.

These medications can significantly reduce inflammation allowing the congestion blockage to clear and significantly alleviate symptoms.

#4: Decongestants
#5: Guaifenesin

Guaifenesin such as Mucinex can certainly break up the mucous, allowing the congestion to clear more quickly.

Don’t Miss: Mexican Antibiotics For Tooth Infection

Sinus Infection: Signs & Symptoms + 10 Natural Remedies

About 35 million Americans suffer from a sinus infection or sinusitis every year. Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the tissue lining the sinuses that leads to an infection. It can result in mucus build-up and pain. If youve ever experienced a sinus infection, then you know just how unpleasant it can be much worse than a stuffy nose. While in most cases, a sinus infection will simply leave you running to find a decongestant, in the worst cases, it can lead to surgery to remove an abscess that has developed or the obstruction of the sinuses.

In the United States, sinusitis is the fifth most common medical diagnosis for which antibiotics are prescribed these days. The management of acute and chronic sinusitis is also costing this country over $11 billion every year. That doesnt even include the economic impact of lost work time due to illness.

While antibioticsfor sinus infection are a very common conventional treatment, the majority of sinus infections are actually the result of colds or viruses. They will get better as your nasal congestion improves.

Thankfully, there are a lot of natural ways to treat a sinus infection, including the foods you eat , saline nasal sprays, essential oils and supplements scientifically proven to be an effective sinus infection home remedy.

What Are The Sinuses How Many Do We Have

A sinus is a hollow, air-filled cavity. For the purposes of this article, a sinus will refer to those hollow cavities that are in the skull and connected to the nasal airway by a narrow hole in the bone . Normally all sinuses are open to the nasal airway through an ostium. Humans have four pair of these cavities each referred to as the:

  • frontal sinus ,
  • maxillary sinus ,
  • ethmoid sinuses , and
  • sphenoid sinus .
  • The four pairs of sinuses are often described as a unit and termed the “paranasal sinuses.” The cells of the inner lining of each sinus are mucus-secreting cells, epithelial cells, and some cells that are part of the immune system .

    Functions of the sinuses include humidifying and warming inspired air, insulation of surrounding structures , increasing voice resonance, and as buffers against facial trauma. The sinuses decrease the weight of the skull. If the inflammation hinders the clearance of mucous or blocks the natural ostium, the inflammation may progress into a bacterial infection.

    Read Also: Can You Get Antibiotic Eye Drops Over The Counter

    If You Think You Have A Sinus Infection

    If you feel you are experiencing sinus infection symptoms, make an appointment with your PartnerMD physician, and do not attempt to treat symptoms on your own. While you may initially be recommended OTC treatments, only your doctor can accurately diagnose your symptoms, and prescribe the right treatment for relief.

    Have a question about your sinus infection symptoms? Contact us today to see if a relationship with a concierge doctor could be beneficial.

    Corporate Headquarters

    7001 Forest Avenue, Suite 302

    Richmond, VA 23230

    When Are Antibiotics Prescribed For A Sinus Infection

    Top 8 Sinus Infection Natural Remedies

    Your doctor will consider antibiotic treatment if you do not see relief from these initial treatments. If you develop a fever, or tenderness and pain in your teeth, you may be experiencing symptoms of a bacterial sinus infection.

    Not all antibiotics are effective for treatment of bacterial sinus infections, so your doctor will look at your medical history and current symptoms to determine the best antibiotic treatment.

    Don’t Miss: Do Bacterial Infections Need Antibiotics

    Types Of Sinus Infections: Chronic Vs Acute

    There are four types of sinus infections. These classifications depend on the length and frequency of the infection:

    • Acute sinusitis.This type of sinus infection lasts only for a short time, defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology as less than 4 weeks. This short-term infection is usually part of a cold or other respiratory illness. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection .
    • Subacute sinusitis. A subacute sinus infection lasts between 4 and 12 weeks .
    • Recurrent acute sinusitis. An acute sinus infection is considered recurrent if the infection returns four or more times within a year, with each infection lasting 7 days or more.
    • Chronic sinusitis.Chronic sinus infections last for more than 12 weeks or continue to recur.

    Many sinus infection symptoms are common in both acute and chronic forms. Seeing a doctor is the best way to learn if you have an infection, find the cause, and get treatment.

    For cases of acute bacterial sinus infections, these symptoms last at least 10 days without improving, or they worsen within 10 days after seeming to improve. In this case, its important to talk with a doctor, such as a general practitioner or an ear, nose, and throat doctor , to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

    Learn more about the symptoms of a sinus infection below.

    Dont Miss:

    Sinus Infection Home Remedies Recommended By A Doctor

    Philip Scolaro, MD

    You probably dont give too much thought to your ability to breathe through your nose until you wake up with a sinus infection and that ability is gone!

    Sinus infections, sometimes called acute sinusitis, can steal your joy pretty quickly.

    A lot of viruses start with nasal symptoms. If you have a scratchy throat, congestion, and a runny nose, youve probably got a virus on your hands.

    Don’t Miss: How To Know You Need Antibiotics

    How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics

    This article tells us how to get rid of sinus infection without antibiotics, with the use of a few simple home remedies. However, if one still doesnt get relief from the infection, then medical treatment is required.

    This article tells us how to get rid of sinus infection without antibiotics, with the use of a few simple home remedies. However, if one still doesnt get relief from the infection, then medical treatment is required.

    Sinus infections can cause painful headaches and other discomfort. Mostly, one gets this problem after a cold or flu. However, sometimes one might also get a sinus infection due to certain kinds of allergies. Another cause is a bacterial infection, but this is a very rare case. When a person gets infected the sinuses which are normally filled with air, get filled with mucus which doesnt get drained. This blocks the nasal passages, and leads to a stuffy nose, headache, and breathing discomfort. For treatment, doctors generally prescribe antibiotics. However, this is not recommended for long term use. If you are looking for a more natural, safer way, then here are some remedies that will help you to cure the infection naturally.

    Irrigate Your Sinuses To Help Ease Symptoms And Prevent Sinus Infections

    Do Antibiotics Help With Sinus Infections?

    Nasal irrigation is basically a method of using a saltwater solution to force out germs and plugged-up mucus residing in the sinus passages. Other terms for this are nasal wash, nasal douche, or lavage. Some people refer to it by one of the popular devices used to get the water in, a neti pot.

    A small number of studies has found irrigation can improve symptoms, including one review published in September 2016 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

    Experts caution that it is important to use distilled or sterile water to avoid the rare possibility of introducing a parasite into your sinus passageways.

    Recommended Reading: Aspire Allergy And Sinus Tampa

    Read Also: Best Antibiotic For Sinus Infection And Uti

    What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection

    When you notice the first signs of facial pressure and sinus pain, youre probably desperate for a way to stop the infection before it is debilitating. Instead of burying your head under a pillow and waiting for it to clear up, its important that you are proactive with your treatment plan. Even a small sinus infection can develop severe symptoms when left untreated.

    Whether its your first sinus infection or you have chronic sinusitis, its essential to know your treatment options. Clearing up the infection should be a high priority so you can avoid potential complications of untreated infections.

    Other Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

    There are a few other reasons you might be prescribed antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. Strep throat, medically known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is a sore throat caused by infection by streptococcal bacteria. It is usually treated with penicillin.

    Swelling of the epiglottis, the flap of tissue covering the windpipe, is potentially life-threatening, particularly in children ages 2 to 5 years. Called epiglottitis, this condition can impact breathing and is often caused by infection with the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b and should be treated with antibiotics, including a cephalosporin.

    If the cold leads to an ear infection, antibiotics may help resolve it if pain relievers and decongestants dont do the trick. Antibiotic use guidelines for children with ear infections differ based on their age and symptoms.

    Also Check: My Dog Licked Triple Antibiotic Ointment

    What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Sinusitis

    When you have a sinus infection, you often have to go through your day in pain and in a fog. Sinusitis, or infection of the sinuses, is incredibly common, but many people suffer through it rather than get it treated. At Asthma Allergy Centre in Tigard, McMinnville, or Beaver, OR, we use a variety of sinus management treatments to reduce the inflammation and immune response that are likely behind your sinus problems. Check out on how to get rid of sinusitis.

    Also Check: How To Treat Sinus And Ear Infection

    What Is Clindamycin Used For In Dogs

    Sinus Infections ache remedy

    It is effective in the treatment of infections stemming from wounds, skin infections, bacterial pneumonia , bone infections , ear and tooth infections, as well as respiratory tract infections. It is also prescribed in cases of bladder or urinary tract infections , but only if the culture shows that the bacteria are sensitive to this antibiotic. It can also effectively treat protozoal infections like toxoplasma. The medication works best on anaerobic bacteria, i.e. bacterium that does not need oxygen to survive .

    Don’t Miss: Can Minuteclinic Prescribe Antibiotics For Uti

    Popular Articles
    Related news