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.

Fungal Sinus Infection

Many infections start out as minor inconveniences. With care, individuals often think the symptoms will go away on their own. If caught soon enough, some home remedies may help prevent them. Usually, it requires antibiotics and complimentary treatments to get rid of a bacterial infection. But, for those with a fungal sinus infection that does not go away with home remedies, it is extremely important to seek medical care. Left untreated, it can cause serious illness or worse.

Fungi

As surprising as it may seem, the body can harbor natural fungi that is not harmful. It will not cause illness or disease. But, if there is a fungus that gets out of control, and the body can’t fight it off, it can cause serious health issues. One such problem is a fungal sinus infection.

According to the American Rhinologic Society, there are four different types of sinus infections that can be attributed to fungi like Aspergillus. Caught early, home remedies may relieve the symptoms and take care of the problem. However, if left untreated, a doctor may diagnose:

1. Invasive Acute and Chronic Sinusitis
2. Fungal Ball
3. Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

When a sinus infection lasts several weeks, and the plethora of home treatments remains ineffective, it is time to seek professional help. A doctor can determine if the sinus trouble is related to a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics; or, the infection is fungal-based and would not respond well to antibiotics.

Invasive Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

Invasive Acute Sinusitis is the most danger form of fungal sinus infection. In fact, it often becomes a fatal illness. This malady can actually destroy bone and spread to areas of the body, other than the sinuses. It is fast growing. It is a rare form of sinusitis that normally occurs with patients that already have compromised immune systems. For example people who are undergoing chemotherapy or have severe diabetes are more likely to suffer this disease. To get rid of the infection may require both surgery and anti-fungal medication. So, individuals who have poor immunity should see their physicians promptly, if they suspect a sinus infection.

Fungal Ball

The maxillary sinuses are the cavities above the cheekbones. People with recurrent sinus infections have a greater tendency to be diagnosed with a fungal ball in this area of the sinuses. The fungus collects until the sinuses are blocked and unable to drain. Although the fungi will not damage the bone, it will have to be removed. After tests to confirm the problem, a doctor will order endoscopy sinus surgery. After removal, a prescription to get rid of the remaining fungus will be ordered.

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis

For individuals with frequent sinus ailments, allergic fungal sinusitis is probably the most common fungal sinus infection. Patients with the malady will often have recurring illness. It might be necessary to institute long-term treatment programs to keep the infection at bay.

Patients may need to regularly irrigate their sinuses with a salt and warm water solution, take anti-fungal medications, and take antibiotics, or some other treatment, in order to stay healthy. If a sinus infection does occur, medical tests will check for a fungal ball that may need to be surgically removed, before prescribing medications.

Unfortunately, allergic fungal sinusitis is so common simply because the culprits are common household allergens. It is hard, if not impossible, to rid the environment of the microscopic organisms that will cause the sinuses to flare up, swell, and start creating so much mucus that nasal passages are blocked. Doctors can recommend home remedies to help prevent or lessen infections. But, for most patients, it is a lifelong health concern.

A fungal sinus infection can be particularly difficult to treat. At first, it will likely appear to be a regular bacterial infection of the sinuses. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, only to be surprised when the patient returns, because the sinus problem has not gone away. Upon further examination, it becomes very apparent that this is not the typical sinus ailment. Many patients will require minor endoscopic surgery to remove the fungus, before an anti-fungal medication. In most cases, it will have been brought on by allergies to dust, pollen, or other common pollutants in the environment. So, it is not uncommon for some patients to have frequently recurring infections. It might be necessary to recommend home remedies for sinus care, in the hopes of preventing another infection for as long as possible. Some patients will have life-long difficulties with their sinuses and need frequent medical attention. So, for those patients who have suffered more than one fungal sinus infection, it is a good idea to talk to their doctor about long-term treatment options. It can literally save a lot of headaches in the future.