Does Amoxicillin Treat Sinus Infection

How Antibiotics Can Help With Your Chronic Sinusitis

The sinuses are made of soft mucosal tissue and small hairlike structures that moisten and filter air as we breathe. Sometimes these tissues become inflamed by infections, like the common cold or allergies, which prevents mucus from properly draining. The mucus continues to be produced, but pools in the sinuses. This creates an environment that is perfect for bacteria or viruses to thrive.

When sinuses get infected this way, it causes an array of symptoms such as:

• Facial pain
• Post-nasal drip

These symptoms can make it hard to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. Generally, these infections are expected to run their course over about seven to ten days. Over-the-counter medicines are commonly used to alleviate pain and congestion, but this environment can make it difficult for the body to properly remove the bacteria. This can lead to more chronic sinus issues as the infection spreads and inflames more tissue creating a vicious cycle.

Precautions Of Amoxicillin For Sinusitis

It is a general precautionary measure that no medicine should be taken without proper consultation with the doctor.

A person can buy Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet with only a valid prescription at the pharmacist or medical center.

Some of the things you should disclose to the doctor before taking this medicine are-

• Whether you are allergic to drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and telithromycin
• Whether you have any issues in the kidneys, muscles, liver or heart
• If you have a low level of potassium or magnesium
• Whether you suffer from nausea, diarrhea or excessive sweating after taking the medicine
• Whether you are pregnant or lactating

Some precautions for special conditions before taking Amoxicillin 500 mg Tablet-

Killer Sinus Infection How To Tell If Yours Is Viral Or Bacterial

You know the symptoms: nasal congestion, facial pressure, pain, fever, too much mucus. Ugh. Its probably another sinus infection.

But is your infection caused by a virus or bacteria and does it really matter?

It does matter. Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infections differently. Here is what you need to know about both kinds of infection and how to treat them.

Viral or bacterial?

Most sinus infections are viral, and most are caused by the virus that causes the common cold. How can you tell, based on symptoms, whether your infection is viral or bacterial?

Normally, you canât.

Symptoms like bad breath, yellow or green mucus, fever and headache are not reliable signs of a bacterial infection. They can be present with viral infections, too. Even your doctor cant tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.

Instead, your doctor looks at symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days.

4 steps you can take

Whether your sinus infection turns out to be viral or bacterial, you can help to ease your symptoms early on with supportive care:

What to do for chronic sinusitis

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What About A Ct Scan

A CT scan is a series of X-rays. It gives your doctor a picture of your sinuses. Some doctors recommend a CT scan when you have a sinus problem. But usually you do not need a CT scan. Generally, you only need a CT scan if you have sinus problems often, or if you are thinking about having sinus surgery.

This report is for you to use when talking with your healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.

04/2012

What Is Keflex And What Is It Used For

Cephalexin belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. They are similar to penicillin in action and side effects. They stop or slow the growth of bacterial cells by preventing bacteria from forming the cell wall that surrounds each cell. The cell wall protects bacteria from the external environment and keeps the contents of the cell together, and without a cell wall, bacteria are not able to survive. Bacteria that are susceptible to cephalexin include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, E. coli and several others. Cephalexin was approved by the FDA in January 1971.

Cephalexin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria that are susceptible to the effects of cephalexin. Common infections that cephalexin is used for include:

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What Home Remedies Help Soothe Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinus infections caused by viruses can use home treatments such as pain and fever medications , decongestants, and mucolytics. In addition, some health care professionals suggest nasal irrigation or a sinus rinse solution to help relieve symptoms of sinus infections, even chronic sinusitis symptoms. This irrigation is accomplished with a “Neti-Pot” or a sinus rinse kit . The last reference of this article shows a video of a sinus rinse procedure. In 2012, the FDA issued a warning about the use of Neti-Pots. The FDA cautions people not to use untreated tap water for rinsing, as contaminated tap water rinses lead to two deaths.

Bacterial and fungal sinus infections usually require antibiotic or antifungal therapy so home treatments without them are often not successful. However, some authors suggest home treatments may reduce symptoms after medical therapy has begun some healthcare professionals recommend nasal irrigation after sinus surgery.

But Sometimes Antibiotics For Sinus Infections Are Needed

So how does one judge when it is appropriate to prescribe antibiotics for a sinus infection? There are several sets of official guidelines, which are all similar. When a patient has thick, colorful nasal discharge and/or facial pressure or pain for at least 10 days, they meet criteria for antibiotic treatment. If a patient has had those symptoms, but the symptoms seemed to start improving and then got worse again, then even if its been less than 10 days, they meet criteria for antibiotic treatment.

The authors, however, also suggest that doctors discuss watchful waiting with patients and explain that most sinus infections clear up on their own in one to two weeks, and its a safe option to hold off on antibiotics. The symptoms can then be treated with a cocktail of over-the-counter medications and supportive care, like nasal saline irrigation, nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, and pain medications.

Of course, many patients expect and demand antibiotics for sinus infections, and even those who are open to watchful waiting may hear about the rare but possible complications of things like, oh, brain abscess, and opt to treat.

In the case of my patient above, she met criteria for treatment. She weighed the watchful waiting option against the potential risks of antibiotics for her sinus infection, and chose the prescription. I can tell you from very close follow-up that she improved quickly, though in truth, we will never really know if she would have gotten better anyway.

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When Should You Use Antibiotics

You usually need an antibiotic when you have an infection that is caused by bacteria, and the infection is not going away on its own. This may be the case when:

• Your symptoms last more than 10 days.
• Your symptoms start to get better, but then get worse again.
• Your symptoms are very severe. You should get immediate treatment if:
• You have severe pain and tenderness in the area around your nose and eyes.
• You have signs of a skin infectionsuch as a hot, red rash that spreads quickly.
• You have a fever over 102°F.

Potential Side Effects Of Cephalexin

Cephalexin can be an effective way to resolve a tooth infection. But, like any medication, it can result in unwanted side effects.

Possible side effects of cephalexin may include:

• Joint pain
• Confusion

While theres no need to adhere to a special diet for cephalexin, you may want to adjust your food routine if you experience stomach problems while taking this medication.

Yogurt and other probiotic-rich foods may help soothe antibiotic-related GI troubles.If youre taking cephalexin, avoid drinking alcohol.

Alcohol can increase side effects of this antibiotic medication, including nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness.

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Treating Sinus Infections: Dont Rush To Antibiotics

Millions of people are prescribed antibiotics each year for sinus infections, a frequent complication of the common cold, hay fever, and other respiratory allergies. In fact, 15 to 21 percent of all antibiotic prescriptions for adults in outpatient care are for treating sinus infections. Unfortunately, most of those people dont need the drugs. Heres why:

The drugs usually dont help.

Sinus infections can be painful. People with the condition usually have a stuffy nose combined with yellow, green, or gray nasal discharge plus pain or pressure around the eyes, cheeks, forehead, or teeth that worsens when they bend over. But sinus infections almost always stem from a viral infection, not a bacterial oneand antibiotics dont work against viruses. Even when bacteria are the cause, the infections often clear up on their own in a week or so. And antibiotics dont help ease allergies, either.

They can pose risks.

About one in four people who take antibiotics have side effects, such as stomach problems, dizziness, or rashes. Those problems clear up soon after stopping the drugs, but in rare cases antibiotics can cause severe allergic reactions. Overuse of antibiotics also promotes the growth of bacteria that cant be controlled easily with drugs. That makes you more vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections and undermines the good that antibiotics can do for others.

So when are antibiotics necessary?

How should you treat sinus infections?

How To Cope With Side Effects

What to do about:

• feeling sick eat simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food while youre taking this medicine. It might help to take your cefalexin after a meal or snack.
• diarrhoea drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
• stomach pain putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may help stomach pain.

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Where Can I Find Treatment To Address My Chronic Sinusitis Without Antibiotics

In order to successfully treat your sinusitis, its important to pinpoint exactly whats causing this condition. If, for example, its caused by a deviated septum, it will continue to occur until the underlying problem is corrected.

At DFW Sinus Select, we specialize in tailoring treatments that are designed to give you the best possible long-term results with minimal side effects. Were here to help you get the relief you need and help treat chronic sinus infections without antibiotics if appropriate in your particular case.

Our practice offers numerous office locations so you can conveniently access top-notch care close to home.

Its important to visit a DFW Sinus Select specialist to properly diagnose your sinus issues and receive information about the best treatment options.

Schedule your consultation today by filling out the appointment form right on this page or by contacting our offices. Youll be taking the first step toward sinus relief!

When Antibiotics Are Appropriate Treatment

Antibiotics may be given to people who are less able to fight off infection, such as those with diabetes, or serious heart or lung disease.

In addition, antibiotics can be given to those whose symptoms have gotten worse or those who show no improvement after seven days.

If antibiotics are given, a 10- to 14-day course is recommended, according to the practice guidelines. Amoxicillin or amoxicillin clavulanate are typically the first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin.

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What Tests Diagnose The Cause Of Sinus Infections And Sinusitis

Sinus infection is most often diagnosed based on the history and examination of a doctor. Because plain X-ray studies of the sinuses may be misleading and procedures such as CT and MRI scans, which are much more sensitive in their ability to diagnose a sinus infection, are so expensive and not available in most doctors’ offices, most sinus infections are initially diagnosed and treated based on clinical findings on examination. These physical findings may include:

• redness and swelling of the nasal passages,
• purulent drainage from the nasal passages ,
• tenderness to percussion over the cheeks or forehead region of the sinuses, and
• swelling about the eyes and cheeks.

Occasionally, nasal secretions are examined for secreted cells that may help differentiate between infectious and allergic sinusitis. Infectious sinusitis may show specialized cells of infection while allergic sinusitis may show specialized white blood cells of allergy . Physicians prescribe antibiotics if the bacterial infection is suspected. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections many physicians then treat the symptoms.

In addition, both rigid and flexible endoscopy has been used to obtain diagnostic material from sinuses. These procedures are usually done by an otolaryngologist under topical and local anesthesia. Occasionally, there may be a need to sedate the patient. Some investigators suggest that endoscopy specimens are comparable to those obtained by needle puncture.

Drinking Liquids Help Ease Sinus Pain And Loosens Congestion

Staying hydrated keeps your sinuses moist so you feel better, and it also decreases the thickness of sinus mucus so it flows out more easily, Del Signore says.

Everyone is guilty of not drinking enough water, he says, recommending people get from six to eight 8-ounces glasses every day.

Steer clear of too many caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration.

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Theres More Nuance To Antibiotic Prescribing Than You Might Realize

The way doctors think about prescribing all antibioticsnot just Z-Packshas evolved since these medications were introducted.

First off, both of the experts SELF spoke to for this story emphasize that what may seem like a penicillin allergyor, more likely, what youve been told all your life is a penicillin allergymay not be a true allergy. Many people, like me, grow up being told that they had some kind of a rash or other vaguely bad reaction after getting penicillin treatment as a baby, which is very possibly true. But people grow out of these sorts of reactions, Dr. Vijayan says, and doctors now appreciate just how exceptionally rare true penicillin allergies are.

About 10 percent of patients report a penicillin allergy, according to estimates from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology , but about 90 percent of them may not actually have one. So, many of the people who took Z-Packs because they thought it was their only option may have been perfectly fine just getting the penicillin instead, making them even more egregiously overprescribed.

Weve also come to understand that there are shades of gray to the conventional wisdom of taking every last dose of your antibiotic, even if you feel better long before that, Dr. Vijayan says. The truth is that, for many antibiotics that are routinely prescribed in primary care, a shorter course is totally finesometimes even betterthan a longer one.

Does Using The Z Pack Add To Antibiotic Resistance

Overusing antibiotics threatens the safety of the population by contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Bacteria constantly adapt, which is how they continue to infect the human body. The more often bacteria interact with drugs such as antibiotics, the more they must adapt. This makes them stronger.

Antibiotic overuse may eventually lead to antibiotic resistance. This essentially means that the bacteria have become immune to the antibiotics. The estimate that each year in the U.S., antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause more than 23,000 deaths.

So, it is best to reserve the use of antibiotics for serious infections.

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Advantages Of Doxycycline For Sinus Infections

Doxycycline can significantly improve symptoms within a short period of time following commencement of therapy. It is effective against a variety of different organisms that cause sinus infections. It shortens the overall duration of the infection and can help patients get back to normal activity sooner rather than later.

When To Seek Medical Care

See a doctor if you have:

• Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain.
• Symptoms that get worse after initially improving.
• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without improvement.
• Fever longer than 3-4 days.

You should also seek medical care if you have had multiple sinus infections in the past year.

This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning.

Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to a sinus infection, including:

• Seasonal allergies

• By Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Contributor

It was February, and clinic was teeming with respiratory infections of all kinds: mostly the common cold, but also bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus infections. The patients were coming in usually thinking that they needed antibiotics for their sinus infection, or another respiratory infection.The first patient on my schedule was a healthcare provider with sinus infection written down as her main issue.* Shed had about two weeks of nasal and sinus congestion which she blamed on a viral upper respiratory infection . Her two young kids had been sick with colds all winter, so she wasnt surprised to have these symptoms, along with endless postnasal drip and a cough.

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When Antibiotics Dont Work

Some patients suffer from recurring sinus infections. If your sinus infection does not improve within five to seven days after you finish the whole course of antibiotics, or if you experience another sinus infection within a few weeks, you may be referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for treatment.