Sinus Infection Antibiotics

Contrary to popular belief, sinus infection antibiotics are not recommended in every case.  In fact, there are instances when they will do more harm than good.  However, when doctors prescribe antibiotics, other treatment options can also help to clear up the infection more quickly and provide more immediate relief for the pain and discomfort.

Viral Sinus Infections

Some people suffer a sinus infection soon after a bout with a cold or the flu.  Both of these illnesses are viruses and cannot be cured by taking antibiotics.  The same can be said when the source of the sinus trouble is a virus.

Many patients want to go to the doctor and get a pill that will make them feel better and ready to go back to work the next day.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way.  In fact, taking antibiotic when they aren’t really needed can do more harm than good.

Studies have shown that over-prescribing antibiotics can actually help the body build up immunity to their medicinal benefits.  In other words, if the doctor prescribes an antibiotic just to make the patient happy, the next time that medicine is really needed, it will not work as well to get rid of an infection.

So, for individuals with viral sinus infections, the best treatments can be purchased at the local drug store over-the-counter.  It is important to drink plenty of fluids, to help keep the mucus flowing out of the body.

Antihistamines will help with that as well.  There are also medicines that will aid in breaking up the mucus.  For the pain and discomfort ibuprofen and Tylenol will help reduce the swelling and knock out the pain.  Warm compresses also help with the drainage and ease that tight, stuffy feeling.
Save the antibiotics for a bacterial infection, when they will do the most good.

Fungal Sinus Infection

Many people that suffer from frequent or chronic sinus trouble actually may have a fungal sinus infection.  The body naturally harbors fungus.  But, as in the event of a sinus infection, they can literally grow out of control.  Unfortunately, when this happens, sinus infection antibiotics are useless.

Antibiotics do not kill fungus.  Patients may not understand that they might as well be swallowing sugar pills for all of the good they will do. Generally, doctors will order x-rays or an MRI to confirm a fungal infection.  If the fungus has congregated in the sinuses, it may take endoscopy sinus surgery to remove the fungus, before prescribing any other treatment.

In some cases, a fungal infection can be fatal.  Patients that already have compromised immune systems due to cancer treatments or auto-immune diseases are more susceptible to a particularly difficult strain of sinus infection.  Thus, it is vital to seek medical help, if an individual has had a fungal infection in the past, or has other health issues that might lower their natural ability to fight off disease.

Instead of sinus infection antibiotics, the doctor will prescribe an anti-fungal medication to get rid of the problem.  If sinus trouble has become a chronic condition, the doctor will discuss home remedies to help prevent flair ups and other courses of treatment to promote healthy sinuses.  However, it may be a life-time of care and caution to reduce the instances of illness.

Bacterial Sinus Infection

The only time that sinus infection antibiotics are really helpful is when the patient has a bacterial sinus infection.  Antibiotics like amoxicillin and augmentin work well to quickly bring about healthy sinuses.  What the doctor prescribes will largely depend on the patient’s allergies.  Some are allergic to penicillin, so amoxicillin would be harmful; others might have allergies against sulfa-based antibiotics.  So, it is very important that the doctor know a patient’s medical history, before treating a bacterial infection.

In addition to the antibiotic, the doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter medications to relieve the pain and pressure of sinus trouble, until the antibiotic has done its job.  Patients can get a lot of relief from the standard pain kills, decongestants, and warm compresses.

Generally, sinus infection antibiotics make most patients feel better within a day or two.  But, it is important to finish the course of treatment.  Feeling great and not completing the antibiotics prescribed may only lead to an immediate return of the infection and its symptoms, because the infection was never totally gone.

In short, sinus infection antibiotics are not always the answer to sinus pain and discomfort.  If the infection is based on a virus or a fungus, antibiotics are just a waste of money and can ultimately reduce their effectiveness, when really needed.  Only if the sinus trouble is based on a bacterial infection can antibiotics do any good.  In many cases, over-the-counter treatments will take care of the problem.  If the symptoms persist for a couple of weeks, see a doctor.