A 42-year-old member asked:
can you tell me, are antibiotics making my sinus infection worse?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Morellanswered
Rheumatology 29 years experience
If: Documented sinus infection, the right antibiotic should help. Sometimes bacteria become resistant to a abx, talk to your ENT and check sensitivity of bacteria. Good luck.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 36-year-old member asked:
How does a dr. Know if you have a sinus infection? Will antibiotics help if you do?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Patrick Melderanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 27 years experience
Physical exam: A good history and exam is usually sufficient. Looking into the nose with a telescope may help (done by an ent). A ct scan can be used as well. Typical symptoms: headache/facial pain/pressure; nasal stuffiness; purulent nasal drainage; sore throat; cough; ear pain; tooth pain; feeling run down. 3-4 symptoms above or "cold like symptoms" that have gone beyond a week.. Likely a sinus infection.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
What is the most successful antibiotic for a sinus infection?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Farhad Sigarianswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 20 years experience
Depends: There is no one antibiotic that is the best. It all depends on each situation. But i can tell you that zpack is particularly not good for a sinus infection (its better for lower respiratory infections). Unfortunately everyone loves taking in because you only have to take it for 5 days.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Are antibiotics the only way to cure a sinus infection?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Phil Zapantaanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Adjunct treatments: Antibiotics will help treat a bacterial infection but the sinuses also need other meds to help open itself up. Otc oral decongestants, sinus rinses, oxymetazoline nasal sprays, steroid nasal sprays, oral steroids, and expectorants (such as mucinex). If you have allergies, then allergy medications will also help treat sinus infections.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Concerned about long-term sinus infection. Should I take 3-4 weeks of antibiotics?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 56 years experience
No: Extended duration of antibiotic therapy is not likely to be effective in this situation. You need to see your family doctor or an ENT doctor for thorough evaluation and institution of a multifactorial regimen designed to treat this effectively. Long term antibiotic therapy has numerous potential complications, some of which may be life-threatening.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
How long should I wait to start antibiotics after contracting a sinus infection?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 36 years experience
Depends on severity: Current guidelines say that you should treat sinusitis with antibiotics if the symptoms have been present for at least 10 days, or after 3-4 days if the symptoms are severe or worsening with time.
5.6k viewsReviewed Jan 01, 2021
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Last updated Jun 10, 2014
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