Do you need antibiotics for sinus infection?

Antibiotics are not needed for many sinus infections. Most sinus infections usually get better on their own without antibiotics. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm. Side effects can range from mild reactions, like a rash, to more serious health problems.

How do you know if you need an antibiotic for a sinus infection?

How can you tell if sinus infection is viral or bacterial?

If your sinus infection lasts for about a week, it's usually due to a virus. Bacterial sinus infections, on the other hand, can persist for some time. They usually last for 10 days or longer. While viral infections usually start to get better after a few days, bacterial infections tend to get worse over time.

How long does it take a sinus infection to go away without antibiotics?

About 70 percent of the time, symptoms of acute bacterial sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics. When sinusitis symptoms last seven to 10 days or more, it's a good idea to see a doctor to discuss treatment options.

What happens if you let a sinus infection go untreated?

Most sinus infections last from a couple of days to a few weeks and are not a serious medical concern, but if left untreated, sinusitis can lead to further complications. These include nasal polyps, a deviated septum and serious allergies.

Discussion with a patient with sinusitis who requests antibiotics

What is the fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection?

What are the stages of sinus infection?

What are the 4 main symptoms of sinusitis?

How do I know if I need antibiotics?

Testing. A lab test is the only ironclad way to determine if you truly need an antibiotic. A physician can collect a sample of bodily gunk (whatever you can cough up or blow out of your nose) or take a throat swab. In general, a culture, in which bacteria are grown in the lab and tested, can take a day or two.

What is the best natural antibiotic for sinus infection?

Echinacea is an herb that can help your body fight off viruses and bacteria. Professional herbalists will often recommend this herb for natural treatment of sinus infections.

Should you stay home with a sinus infection?

Sinus infections can be viral or bacterial. “Either way, it's best to stay home,” Wigmore says. Viral sinus infections are often contagious. If you have had symptoms longer than one week, or if you have severe facial pain, teeth/jaw pain, or fever, you may have a bacterial infection and should consult your doctor.

How long are you contagious when you have a sinus infection?

A sinus infection caused by a viral infection lasts about seven to 10 days, meaning you'll be contagious with the virus for up to two weeks. If your symptoms last more than 10 days, or if they subside after a week then return again a few days later, you likely have a bacterial sinus infection that cannot be spread.

How do you confirm sinus infection?

What are the symptoms of a bacterial sinus infection?

Does Z Pack help with sinus infection?

The Z-Pak is a 5-day course of azithromycin (Zithromax), an antibiotic. It's used to treat certain bacterial infections, including some sinus infections and upper respiratory tract infections that lead to: Headaches. Sore throat.

Can you have a sinus infection with clear mucus?

It's possible to have perfectly clear mucus and a terrible sinus infection; conversely, you can have yellow or green colored snot, but be in fine health. It's also a common misconception that you can reliably differentiate between a viral and bacterial infection based on the color of the mucus.

What happens if you take an antibiotics and don't need them?

If you take an antibiotic when you don't need it – for example, when you have a cold or the flu – it can make you feel worse and make your illness last longer. In fact, when used the wrong way, antibiotics can cause more severe illnesses like diarrhea, nausea and rashes.

How do I know if my cold needs antibiotics?

How can I get antibiotics without seeing a doctor?

Yes, there are antibiotics that you can get over the counter. These can be found at any local drug store or grocery store pharmacy. That said, only certain types of antibiotics, such as topical antibiotics, are available over the counter.

Is A sinus infection Contagious?

No. Since they form inside the nose and not through an outside infection, bacterial sinus infections are not contagious. The underlying disease that caused a sinus infection—like a cold or flu—can be contagious, though.

What is the difference between sinusitis and a sinus infection?

Bacteria: Sinus buildup due to a cold or allergies can create a breeding ground for bacteria, which in turn can cause bacterial sinusitis. Note that bacterial sinusitis, sinusitis, and a sinus infection are simply different terms for the same condition.

How do I know if I have a sinus infection or just sinus pressure?

The other big sign of a sinus infection is pain or pressure in your face – especially near the sinus cavities around your eyes, cheeks and nose. Both your persistent stuffy nose and face pain are due to the lining of your sinuses being inflamed and swollen by the infection, plugging drainage and building pressure.

What is the drug of choice for sinusitis?

For most patients, we suggest initial empiric treatment with either amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate. We treat patients with risk factors for resistance with high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate.

When should I be concerned about a sinus infection?

Persistent sinusitis symptoms for longer than 10 days, especially with “double worsening.” This means symptoms start to improve and then get worse a few days later. A fever, especially a high one over 102 ℉. Asymmetric pain (one side much worse than the other) in one or more sinus areas.

Does a sinus infection just have to run its course?

“If your sinus pressure is isolated, you might have a bacterial infection,” she said. “That's when you really should go see a doctor. With a virus, you just have to let it run its course.”