Good post. Being infected is a sign that the body immunity system is weak. I am not supporting self medication because some drugs does have side effects. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.
Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin.
Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys.
Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Harvard Health Blog When do you really need antibiotics for that sinus infection? However, in some cases, antibiotics are needed. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for your illness.
For some sinus infections, your doctor might recommend watchful waiting or delayed antibiotic prescribing. Transcript txt icon [TXT — B]. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter medicines that can help you feel better. Always use over-the-counter medicines as directed. Be careful about giving over-the-counter medicines to children. Not all over-the-counter medicines are recommended for children of certain ages. If you are considering using a sinus rinse, visit Sinus Rinsing for Health or Religious Practice for how to do so safely.
You can help prevent sinus infections by doing your best to stay healthy and keep others healthy, including:. Your symptoms get worse instead of better after your cold is gone. How well do antibiotics work for sinusitis?
What are the risks of antibiotics? Common but mild side effects of antibiotics include: Upset stomach. Belly pain. Vaginal yeast infections. How can you treat sinusitis without antibiotics? Here are some things you can do: Drink plenty of fluids to thin your mucus. Apply moist heat using a hot, damp towel or gel pack to your face for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this at least 3 times a day. Breathe warm, moist air from a steamy shower, a hot bath, or a sink filled with hot water. Use saltwater nasal washes to help keep your nasal passages open and to wash out mucus and bacteria.
You can buy saline nose drops or sprays at a pharmacy or make your own saline solution at home. If you make saline at home, use distilled water or water that has been boiled and then cooled. You may also find it helpful to gargle with warm salt water.
Ask your doctor if you can take over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers and decongestants to help you feel better. Be safe with medicines.
Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you need to blow your nose, do it gently. Blowing your nose too hard may force thick mucus back into your sinuses. Keep both nostrils open when you blow your nose. Why might your doctor recommend antibiotics for sinusitis? You doctor may recommend antibiotics if: You have symptoms of a bacterial infection and you have not gotten better after 10 days, even with home treatment.
Your symptoms are severe, or you have other problems, such as pus forming in your sinus cavities. You have had sinusitis for 12 weeks or longer chronic sinusitis. Compare your options. Compare Option 1 Take antibiotics to treat sinusitis Don't take antibiotics. Compare Option 2 Take antibiotics to treat sinusitis Don't take antibiotics. Take antibiotics to treat sinusitis Take antibiotics to treat sinusitis You take antibiotics to kill a bacterial infection.
You may need to take a different antibiotic if the first one doesn't work. How long you take antibiotics depends on your health, how bad your infection is, and the kind of antibiotic you take.
You may also take other medicines to help sinus drainage. If your sinusitis is caused by bacteria, you will start to feel better in 3 to 4 days. Antibiotics are effective for bacterial infections. Side effects of antibiotics include a bad taste in the mouth, upset stomach, diarrhea, and vaginal yeast infection. If you take antibiotics too often, the medicine may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.
Don't take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics You use over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers and decongestants to feel better. You try home treatment, such as: Drinking plenty of fluids.
Applying moist heat to your face for 5 to 10 minutes at least 3 times a day. Breathing warm, moist air from a steamy shower or hot bath. Trying saltwater nasal washes to help keep your nasal passages open and to wash out mucus and bacteria.
Most people get better on their own in 10 to 14 days. You avoid the risks of antibiotics. Your sinus infection may not get better on its own. Your sinus infection may get worse. Personal stories about antibiotics for sinusitis These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.
What matters most to you? Reasons to take antibiotics for sinusitis Reasons not to take antibiotics. I know I have a bacterial infection that is causing my sinusitis. A virus is causing my sinusitis. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.
It does, says otolaryngologist Raj Sindwani, MD. Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infections very differently. Sinusitis happens when your sinuses — the normally air-filled pockets in your face — become inflamed and blocked.
Most sinus infections are viral. How can you tell whether your infection is viral or bacterial based on your symptoms?
0コメント