ANTIBIOTICS FOR SINUSITIS

Sinusitis is one of the most widely spread respiratory diseases in the United States. Each year, millions of individuals experience the discomfort of symptoms from some kind of sinus infection.

Symptoms for sinus infection vary depending on the case and severity of your condition. In most cases, these symptoms will include headaches, fever, fatigue, nasal discharge, congestion or blockage. Sinus symptoms can also be caused by colds, allergies and environmental irritants, which are more common than a bacterial sinus infection. That is why some people actually mistake sinusitis as the common cold and don’t really get proper medical treatment for it, thinking that the symptoms will go away and resolve on its own. Other than viral or bacterial causes for sinus infection or symptoms, your living conditions can also contribute to your sinusitis.

Allergens may be present that may trigger sinus problems. If your head aches, you have blockage or congestion in your nasal passages, or you have a runny nose and this goes on for weeks without improvement, it is best to see your doctor and get a proper diagnosis to treat your sinus infection. Your doctor will be able to prescribe you antibiotics that will help you with your symptoms, as needed. An analgesic may also be prescribed at the same time, to aid in your sinusitis treatment if you are feeling too much pain. Some over the counter medicines can also be taken for additional relief or comfort for other symptoms. But in most cases, an antibiotic will do just fine and will work successfully if taken the right way. Antibiotics are usually taken anywhere from 7 to 14 days continuously. The dosage and frequency of your intake would depend on the severity of your symptoms and the kind of infection you have. There are also different ways to take antibiotics. Oral antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Although it usually takes time for it to be effective because you have to wait for the medication to circulate your bloodstream before you feel any kind of relief from it. Nebulized antibiotics are getting more and more popular these days. With this type of antibiotic, a nebulizer or inhaler is used to administer the medication. With this method, you inhale the medication through your nose. This allows topical application of the medicine directly onto the infected areas providing a faster and more efficient treatment of your sinus infection. In select cases, the doctor may choose to give you antibiotics intravenously. This method allows the medication to directly enter your bloodstream through a direct injection to your vein and is instantly circulated through your system, giving you faster relief. This type of antibiotic usually lasts 4 – 6 weeks. If you have taken antibiotics according to the instructions given to you by your doctor and there is still no improvement in your condition after 14 days, stop taking any medication and consult your doctor. A different treatment program may be prescribed for you or further tests may be needed to identify the type and severity of your condition.