Do I need antibiotics for sinus infection? Probably not and don’t be surprised if your physician is hesitant to prescribing them to you. Research has indicated that antibiotics are not the best solution for sinusitis, or sinus infections . Over 60% of sinus infection sufferers will recover from their sinus infection without antibiotics. Many agencies are now recommending that doctors be conservative about giving their patients antibiotics.
Why are more and more doctor’s less likely to prescribe antibiotics for sinus infection?
Most sinusitis cases are caused by viral or fungal infections, not by bacteria. Antibiotics will only kill bacterial infections. If antibiotics are misused and taken frequently for ailments caused by fungal or viral infections instead of bacterial infections, the bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotic, rendering the antibiotic when it is actually needed. consequently, an antibiotic will do more harm than good if taken for a fungal or viral infection. Futhermore, you really don’t need antibiotics for sinus infection. If an antibiotic is taken for bacterial sinus infections, studies have shown that the infection duration is only decreased by a day and a half.
Okay, so what medication will cure my infection?
At this time, there aren’t any. Unfortunately, there aren’t any medical cures for viral or fungal sinusitis at this point. Most patients are plainly asked to “wait it out.” But there are many over-the-counter medications that can help ease the symptoms. Oral decongestants can help ease sinus pressure. Pain relievers can help soothe sinus headache. Nasal sprays work wonders for nasal congestion, but use them sparingly. Do not use them more than recommended on the box (usually 3 days) or they can actually make your symptoms worse. Alot of people claim to be addicted to the the nasal sprays. A newly popular holistic remedy called the neti pot can be used to cleanse the nasal passages of extra mucus and give short term relief from the congestion.
How can I tell if my sinus problems are caused by bacteria or something else?
Well, what are your symptoms? Antibiotics For Sinus Infection, a new website attempting to inform the world of their antibiotics addiction, gives a list of symptoms to look for so that you can tell if your sinus problems are bacterial. Whether your infection is caused by bacteria or something else, the website gives recommendations for some natural remedies that have been shown to cure and prevent the sinus infection without the use of harmful antibiotics.
