During the fall season, many suffer from a sore throat, headaches, and post-nasal drip – which are signs that an allergy flare-up has progressed and has advanced into a sinus infection. An infection of the mucous membrane lining of the sinus cavities, sinusitis usually goes away on its own. Acute sinusitis can last less than four weeks, while chronic sinusitis can last longer than 12 weeks. Despite the severity of their case, many people ask or reach for antibiotics for a sinus infection, thinking that this is the best treatment method. However, this is not always the case.
If you are wondering if you need antibiotics for a sinus infection, know that the best remedy for sinusitis is not always antibiotics. In fact, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about 60-70% of people with a sinus infection are able to fully recover without the use of antibiotics. Sinus infections can stem from a viral infection, which antibiotics will not do anything for. However, sinus infections can also stem from a bacterial infection, and in this case, antibiotics should be used as a treatment method.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know if your sinus infection is caused by a bacteria or a virus, especially since the symptoms experienced overlap with each other. Because of this, antibiotics can easily become overused, creating more issues for a person down the line. Unfortunately, taking antibiotics without knowing for sure if your sinus infection stems from a bacterial infection can be harmful, especially since our body can become antibiotic-resistant when we take antibiotics when they are not needed. This means the next time you need to use a course of antibiotics, the medicine will not work when you really need it to do its job.
However, if your sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or longer, and you are suffering from severe symptoms, your sinusitis may be caused by bacteria. If you are dealing with a sinus infection that won’t go away and doesn’t improve or clear up on its own, contact us today to find the relief you need.