Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Antibiotics are not needed for many sinus infections, but your doctor can decide if you need an antibiotic. When did you first notice your symptoms? Allergists and other specialists recommend limiting the use of antibiotics for situations when the symptoms seem to be caused by a bacterial infection. This content does not have an Arabic version. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Its important to take antibiotics for as long as your doctor has prescribed. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Saline nasal wash can be a great way to thin out the mucous in the sinuses enough to clear out the blockage. 20(47):17788-17795. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i47.17788. drinking plenty of fluids taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under 16) avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion Other methods that might be used to diagnose acute sinusitis and rule out other conditions include: Most cases of acute sinusitis get better on their own. Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection, including: Your doctor will determine if you have a sinus infection by asking about symptoms and examining you. Roughly30 million adults in the United States(11% of the adult population) arediagnosed with sinusitis, according to research done by theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. When your sinuses are inflamed, the area gets blocked with fluid, causing pain and in some cases, allowing bacteria to grow. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Put a warm compress over the nose and forehead to help relieve sinus pressure. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for your illness. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. However, severe, progressive or persistent symptoms might require antibiotics. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Use a clean humidifier to moisten the air at home. Called epiglottitis, this condition can impact breathing and is often caused by infection with the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b and should be treated with antibiotics, including a cephalosporin. 2013;2013(6):CD000247. That can be through sexual activity, or because of poor handwashing or contaminated food . Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The antibiotic-resistant variant accounted for 5% of all Shigella infections last year. A subacute sinus infection lasts for four to 12 weeks. Jameson JL, et al., eds. We prefer non-drowsy antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, and Xyzal so you can stay alert. Sinus infection and toothache: Any connection? JAMA. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. Jennifer Welsh is a Connecticut-based science writer and editor with over ten years of experience under her belt. A neti pot is a container designed to rinse the nasal cavity. Because of the common overprescribing of antibiotics for the type of sinus infections that do not warrant such treatment, many people have developed whats commonly referred to as antibiotic resistance. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. The Best Antibiotic for a Sinus Infection This leads to a buildup of mucus, pain, and discomfort. (Symptoms must include discolored nasal secretions AND facial or dental tenderness to percussion.). Inhaling steam, drinking apple cider vinegar diluted in water, using cold and hot compresses, etc., help lower the symptoms. IDSA clinical practice guideline for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children and adults, Antibiotics for acute maxillary sinusitis, American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, Learn more about the AAFP support of the Choosing Wisely campaign. An acute sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is usually caused by a virus. Doctors may recommend the following nonantibiotic treatments for sinusitis: Nasal decongestants: Over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays can help relieve symptoms of stuffiness. The infection possibly resulted from "sinus rinse practices utilizing tap water," according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and decongestants may help relieve facial pain and sinus congestion associated with acute sinusitis. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. A thin, flexible tube (endoscope) with a fiber-optic light inserted through your nose allows your doctor to visually inspect the inside of your sinuses. A Cochrane review compiled data from 59 studies that involved the use of a variety of antibiotics to manage simple maxillary sinus infection in primary care settings. Staphylococcal infections. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Visit Sinus Rinsing for Health or Religious Practice for information on how to safely use a sinus rinse. This recommendation is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Most sinus infections usually get better on their own without antibiotics. What are the antibiotics used for a sinus infection? If you have symptoms of a sinus infection, you may need to see your healthcare provider. Depending on the type of antibiotic, they may be taken from 3 to 28 days. You may generally feel unwell and potentially have a low-grade fever. Dosage The usual dosage of amoxicillin/clavulanate is 500 mg twice a day for 5 to 7 days. Applying moist, warm heat may help soothe sinus pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. The most common is Amoxicillin which is effective against most strains of bacteria. Nasal irrigation is a process often used to ease the symptoms of sinusitis. Best Antibiotic treatment for sinus infection. AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. European elder. Causes Sinus infections happen when fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some antibiotics are used to attack a wide range of bacteria while others are highly specialized to target only certain bacteria. He prescribed me an antibiotic for 5 days. Others stick with over-the-counter pain relievers to manage pain and fever symptoms. Make a donation. PLoS Pathog. This has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant infections. Healthysinuses are filled with air. This content does not have an Arabic version. These self-help steps can help relieve sinusitis symptoms: No alternative therapies have been proved to ease the symptoms of acute sinusitis. This means other antibiotics can no longer kill the staph bacteria. Can Essential Oils Treat Sinus Congestion? Clinical approach to Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in adults. Chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or longer. 1. Accessed Jan. 28, 2020. What websites do you recommend? privacy practices. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Youll also likely feel stuffed up and have colored snot full of pus. All rights reserved. For example, all penicillin-class antibiotics (ampicillin, amoxicillin) block the formation of the external cell wall of the bacteria. Dont stop taking them early, even if your symptoms improve. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read on to learn what you can do to support your healing from a sinus infection. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Your doctor is unlikely to prescribe antibiotics unless you have chronic sinusitis or if your sinus infection is bacterial. Sinusitis symptoms typically last no longer than 10 days. 2012;172:510-513. Keep your sinuses hydrated to help relieve pressure. Levofloxacin is usually only used for bacterial infections that cannot be treated with safer antibiotics. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1003057, Baiu I, Melendez E. Epiglottitis. Here are some tips to for hydrated sinuses: Shop for a humidifier and saline nasal spray. He or she may feel for tenderness in your nose and face and look inside your nose. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Antibiotics usually aren't needed to treat acute sinusitis, because it's usually caused by a virus and not by bacteria. The overuse of antibiotics is when they are prescribed for reasons other than when they are needed. This is because so many strains of staph bacteria have become resistant to other traditional antibiotics. Cephalexin can be prescribed from 250 mg to 500 mg every 6 to 12 hours for 5 to 7 days. These work by narrowing blood vessels to help reduce inflammation and swelling that cause sinus congestion. More than 70 specialty societies have identified commonly used tests or procedures within their specialties that are possibly overused. When using saline nasal rinses, tap water should always be boiled and then allowed to cool to ensure cleanliness; distilled water or premixed solutions could also be used instead of regular tap water. Patients with an allergy to penicillin should be prescribed. Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional? Antibiotic-resistant strains of staph bacteria are often described as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Strep throat, medically known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is a sore throat caused by infection by streptococcal bacteria. Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Children, What Causes Fever and Headache Together and How Its Treated, Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Adults, Antibiotics Commonly Used to Treat Bronchitis, Whats Causing Your Lingering Cough and How to Treat It, side effects from a prescribed antibiotic, help ward off some side effects of antibiotics, Nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection fact sheet, Viral and bacterial interactions in the upper respiratory tract, Antibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis, Antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections. How can I best manage these conditions together? Antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat staph infections include cefazolin, nafcillin, oxacillin, vancomycin, daptomycin and linezolid. Little P, et al. Always follow your pharmacists advice and the guidelines on the package when taking OTC medications. A sinus infection, a.k.a. This can help your provider choose the antibiotic that will work best for you. Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection can last up to two weeks but usually peak at around three days and are gone within seven.