Some of you might just find it a good thing to know that sinusitis can be caused by different infections such as of the viruses, allergens, fungi and bacteria. But it's actually important to ascertain the cause of your sinus infection. This is because your recovery depends on how correctly you assess the cause of your infection, and how appropriately you treat it.
Though sinusitis causes may vary, for many, effects of any of these causes are generally the same, familiar feeling of nasal congestion, headache, runny nose, facial pressure and even fever. And when suffering starts, you will begin to think of asking for medicine.
An antibiotic is defined as strong medicine that stops or controls bacterial infection. Take good note: it works if the sinusitis is bacterial, not when it is viral nor when it is fungal.
How these drugs help in one's recovery from sinusitis is being questioned in some occasions. Reasons of their ineffectiveness may be linked to the fact that sinusitis is usually caused by viruses, and people use antibiotics even with these cases. Another explanation is that other types of infection can be overcome without taking any kind of medicine, leading some to think that there is no need to resort to medications for all types of sinusitis.
The question of when you should use antibiotics, or these bacteria-killing substances, may be answered by some of these situations and guidelines:
1. When the sinus infection has been severe and has lasted for more than two weeks. The duration of the illness dictates that such infection may be caused by bacteria, therefore it is
recommended to try intakes of these medicines.
2. When the sinusitis is known to be acute and bacterial. Acute bacterial sinusitis begins with a cold, an allergy attack or an irritation by environmental pollutants. Remember to observe if your condition does or does not begin to improve within 3 to 5 days with your current antibiotics. You may need to try a different type if symptoms remain the same, or become worse. A physician's involvement is also recommended.
3. When the sinusitis is chronic or long term, recall how a certain medicine affected you significantly in the past. If you remember finding relief from your nasal congestion and all its symptoms, continue its use. But if it did not change your condition, try one which is new to you - that may help you better.
4. For chronic sinusitis, there are inhaled antibiotics which are available, aside from those drugs that are taken orally or intravenously. This may help in gaining recovery in a very convenient and direct manner. Researches about these are continuously being done to further test its effectiveness.
Doctor's prescription on the dosage should always be remembered because treatments using these drugs should be on a case by case basis. There are several well-documented side effects that are to be considered when taking antibiotics:
- Upset stomach
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Mild to severe diarrhea
The above mentioned side effects are the common and mild ones. Allergic reactions, prolonged diarrhea and inflammation or infection of the small or large intestine are among those rare and serious side effects. Again, a physician's advice is required to prevent or minimize unwanted effects.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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