Bacterial Sinusitis
When nasal discharge, such as pus, facial discomfort, and other symptoms last more than a week, they are likely to be caused by bacterial infections.
Acute sinus bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics that target the bacteria most commonly associated with sinus infection. It is rare to have a reliable bacterial culture without a sinus infection.
The most common causes of sinusitis, including:
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Streptococcus pneumonia
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Staphylococcus aureus
Antibiotic treatment for sinus infection should be able to destroy these five types of bacteria. Amoxil (Amoxil), a drug that is effective for acute sinus infections, can be used. Therefore, many doctors recommend amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) as the first effective antibiotic to cure a possible bacterial sinus infection. Amoxicillin is mostly effective against different strains of bacteria. If you’re allergic to penicillin, for example, other antibiotics may be a better choice.
- Ciprofloxacin
- Cefaclor (Ceclor)
- Clarithromycin, also known as Biaxin
- Loracarbef (Lorabid)
- Azithromycin
- Trimethoprim (Bactrim Septra)
- Sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol)
If you do not feel better after five days of consuming antibiotics, visit your doctor because he might need to switch antibiotics to one of the five mentioned above or amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin). Normaly, an antibiotic that is effective must be taken for 10-14 days. It is therefore not common to heal sinus infections within 14-21 days. Antibiotics do not seem to be able to reduce inflammation anymore, regardless of their antibacterial activity. Fungal infections, also known as mucormycosis and zygomycosis, can occur in rare cases.
Patients with these sinus infections have reported death rates between 50 and 85%. Oral mucolytics and decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (guaifenesin), may help drain sinus infections. Chronic sinus infections may require longer courses of medicine, such as Augmentin, and a sinus drainage technique. The sinuses that are blocked need to be opened under general anesthesia for this drainage. Antihistamines are usually not prescribed until the doctor feels the sinus infection may be due to allergies, such as dander or pollens.
Antihistamines and nasal steroids are both used on occasion, but it is likely that the use of the normal nasal steroid will help to reduce swelling without the drying effect that occurs when antihistamines are taken. Oral steroids may be prescribed to reduce acute inflammation, and chronic inflammation for various reasons or in cases without polyps. Most people develop allergic sinusitis first, and then bacterial infection.
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