Sinus infection occurs when one or more of the sinuses become inflamed, and thereby leads to the accumulation of fluids. This in turn can lead to nasal congestion, as well as runny nose. The symptoms associated with nasal congestion can be quite frustrating, and it can interfere with our daily activities too. As a result, we might wonder Does a sinus infection need antibiotics to recover fully. There are some people who prefer taking antibiotics every now and then. Though taking antibiotics might provide them some relief instantly, this habit is not at all encouraged. According to some doctors, we should avoid the consumption of antibiotics whenever possible. Never consume antibiotics without consulting your doctor, and taking his, or her valuable opinion. You might sometimes suffer from health issues that require you to take antibiotics. During such instances, your healthcare provider will guide you regarding which antibiotic to take, when to take it, as well how long the antibiotic course is. You should get the specific antibiotic that has been specified by your doctor. But, if your doctor feels that you don’t have to take any antibiotics, then he or she will guide you accordingly, and might prescribe some medications for the management of the symptoms.
Causes & Risk Factors
Before discussing does a sinus infection need antibiotics to recover fully, let’s take a look at the causes and risk factors of this disease.
Causes
- There are some air-filled pockets in our face which are known as sinuses. It is present in every individual, and in most cases will not cause any trouble.
- In some cases, fluid builds up in these air-filled pockets. As a result of the accumulation of fluids germs start to grow, and this in turn leads to sinus infection.
- Viruses are usually responsible for the majority of the cases of sinus infection. In some cases, this infection can also be triggered by bacteria.
Risk Factors
- A previous cold can considerably enhance your chances of getting a sinus infection.
- It must be noted that smoking, as well as exposure to secondhand smoke can also sometimes lead to the infection of the sinuses.
- If you are prone to seasonal allergies, then chances are high that you might suffer from sinus infections during seasonal changes.
- The structural issues within the sinuses can also lead to sinus infections. Sometimes, there might be certain growths on the lining of the nose, as well as the sinuses. These growths are known as nasal polyps, and they are quite common now-a-days.
- If you have a weak immune system, then it considerably enhances your chances of developing a sinus infection.
- Sinus infection is also possible in people who are taking any kind of medications that might weaken the immune system.
Does A Sinus Infection Need Antibiotics?
- Whenever you feel that you are suffering from a sinus infection, you must get in touch with your healthcare provider at the earliest. The doctor will evaluate your symptoms, and examine you thoroughly in order to confirm the same.
- In certain cases, the doctor might ask you to take some antibiotics. During such instances, you should only take the antibiotics that have been prescribed by your doctor. In addition to that, make sure that you are completing the entire course of the antibiotic.
- On the other hand, most cases of sinus infections do not require the patient to take antibiotics. In the majority of cases, it has been observed that the infection gets better on its own without any kind of antibiotic therapy.
- It must be noted that taking antibiotics unnecessarily will not help you, and you might also have to deal with a number of side effects. The most commonly observed side effects are rashes, stomach ache, indigestion, etc.
- In certain cases, the patients taking antibiotics might suffer from severe health issues, and these include allergic reactions, antibiotic-resistant infections, diarrhea, colon damage, etc.
- Thus, it is highly advisable that you get in touch with your doctor, and then decide the suitable course of treatment. Your doctor will examine the condition properly, and then decide if you should take antibiotics or not.
- If you have mild sinus infection, then your healthcare provider will recommend delayed antibiotic prescribing, or watchful waiting.
Delayed Antibiotic Prescribing & Watchful Waiting
Now, if you are wondering does a sinus infection need antibiotics to recover fully, then you must understand what delayed antibiotic prescribing & watchful waiting is.
Delayed antibiotic prescribing
- In this case, your healthcare provider might prescribe an antibiotic for treating the sinus infection. But, he or she might suggest that you wait about two to three days before filling the prescription.
- Sometimes, antibiotics might not be required, and you might recover on your own. Waiting for two or three days will help you to see if recovery is possible without taking antibiotics.
- If you feel that your symptoms are improving, then you do not have to take the prescribed antibiotics. On the other hand, if you feel that the symptoms have worsened, then you must start the antibiotic course immediately.
Watchful waiting
- In some cases, the doctor will not at all prescribe any antibiotics. Instead, he will ask the patients to watch and wait for two or three days.
- Waiting for two or three days will give the immune system some time to fight off the sinus infection. If you have a strong immune system, then you will be able to fight off the infection quite easily.
- In case the symptoms don’t improve, then you can get in touch with your doctor again to get an antibiotic prescribed.
Conclusion
We have discussed does a sinus infection need antibiotics to recover fully. In order to relieve the pain and pressure associated with the sinus infection, you can try putting a warm compress over the nose, as well as the forehead. This will help in relieving the sinus pressure to a great extent. You can also try using a nasal decongestant or saline nasal spray. You should also try breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water containing some salt. This will also help in alleviating the symptoms.