Sinus infections are no fun. If you have one, you may be wondering if antibiotics might help you get over your infection and recover quicker. Unfortunately, in most cases, antibiotics are unlikely to help treat sinus infections.
What Causes a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses that occurs due to fluid buildup in your sinus cavities. There are multiple factors that may increase your risk of developing a sinus infection, including:
- A recent cold
- Allergies
- Structural problems with the sinuses, such as nasal polyps
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Weakened immune system
Common Sinus Infection Symptoms
A sinus infection can feel similar to a cold in some ways. However, there are also symptoms that can set it apart. Common symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Facial pressure or pain
- Postnasal drip
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Chronic cough
- Bad breath
Why Antibiotics Don’t Help Most Sinus Infections
Though antibiotics have been commonly prescribed for sinus infections, more and more research is indicating that it’s actually unhelpful. This is because the majority of sinus infections are viral and not bacterial in nature. Antibiotics do nothing to help viral infections.
While a bacterial sinus infection may warrant antibiotic use, some doctors are more inclined to wait and see if the infection resolves by itself (as it often does) before prescribing an antibiotic.
The Risk of Unnecessary Antibiotic Use
It’s not just that antibiotics probably won’t help treat your sinus infection; it’s that using them when they are not needed can be actively harmful as well. Some people may develop rashes, have severe allergic reactions or develop stomach problems. There’s also a worry that overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance and more severe infections.
Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends watchful waiting or delayed antibiotic prescribing when treating sinus infections. If your symptoms don’t improve within several days, your doctor may decide antibiotics are necessary. Conversely, they may write a prescription immediately but ask you to wait several days before use to see if your symptoms improve on their own.
Effective Treatment Options
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to help manage your symptoms and get over your infection at home, including:
- Getting plenty of rest
- Staying hydrated
- Using a vaporizer or taking hot showers to make breathing easier
- OTC options like zinc lozenges, pain medications and decongestants that you can pick up at The Medicine Chest Pharmacy or most other Fort Wayne pharmacies.
Bottom Line
While it’s important to reach out to a medical provider if you have symptoms of a sinus infection, it most cases, it’s better to avoid using antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, call Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today.