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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the nose and sinuses. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in your skull around the eyes and nose. Most of the time, acute sinusitis is caused by a virus. But it can also be caused by bacteria. Most people who get acute sinusitis have a cold first. Sinusitis can cause pain and pressure in your head and face along with a stuffy or blocked nose. Symptoms may also include thick, discolored drainage from the nose or down the back of the throat. There are two types of sinusitis: Your treatment will depend on the cause and type of your sinusitis. Most of the time, treatment includes medicines and taking care of yourself at home. Here are some common treatments for acute and chronic sinusitis. Acute Sinusitis Chronic Sinusitis You may have a bacterial infection in your sinuses if: OR Antibiotics work in most cases of acute sinusitis that are caused by bacteria. Many people start feeling better 3 to 4 days after they start taking the medicine. Antibiotics won't work for infections caused by a virus. Over-the-counter medicines and home treatment can help you feel better. Taking antibiotics you don't need won't help you feel better, cure your infection, or keep you from passing the infection on to someone else. And if you take antibiotics too often, they may not work when you really do need them. Common side effects of antibiotics include: If you do take antibiotics, take them as directed. Keep taking them even after you start to feel better. The infection may not go away if you don't take all of the medicine your doctor prescribes. Whether sinusitis is caused by bacteria or by a virus, most people get better even if they don't take antibiotics.footnote 1 Home treatment for sinusitis can help relieve your symptoms. Here are some things you can do: Your doctor may recommend antibiotics if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I've had sinusitis a few times. So when my doctor suggested I take an antibiotic, I asked him if I really needed it. He said I would probably get better faster if I took the medicine. But I know from the other times that I'll probably be okay in a week or so anyway. So we decided to wait and see instead of trying antibiotics. Maria, age 34 I can't wait to feel better. It seems like I've had bad sinus pain for the longest time. It's been at least 2 weeks. Nasal sprays aren't helping. I'm going to ask my doctor for antibiotics. David, 28 I thought I just had a bad cold, but my doctor says I have sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection. I've been doing all the right things at home, but it isn't going away. I think antibiotics are the next step for me. Carmen, 50 I thought I'd get my doctor to give me some antibiotics for my sinusitis. Then I'd be over it sooner. But since it's been a week since my symptoms began and I'm already starting to feel better, my doctor says I don't need to take an antibiotic unless I start to feel worse. I'm going to wait it out instead. John, age 52 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take antibiotics for acute sinusitis Reasons not to take antibiotics I know I have a bacterial infection that is causing my sinusitis. A virus is causing my sinusitis. I've tried home treatment, but it has not helped. I want to try home treatment and other medicines first. The side effects of antibiotics don't bother me. I'm worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I want to take medicine if it will help me get better faster. I don't want to take medicine that I might not need if I'll get better soon anyway. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the nose and sinuses. Sinuses are the hollow spaces in your skull around the eyes and nose. Most of the time, acute sinusitis is caused by a virus. But it can also be caused by bacteria. Most people who get acute sinusitis have a cold first. Sinusitis can cause pain and pressure in your head and face along with a stuffy or blocked nose. Symptoms may also include thick, discolored drainage from the nose or down the back of the throat. There are two types of sinusitis: Your treatment will depend on the cause and type of your sinusitis. Most of the time, treatment includes medicines and taking care of yourself at home. Here are some common treatments for acute and chronic sinusitis. Acute Sinusitis Chronic Sinusitis You may have a bacterial infection in your sinuses if: OR Antibiotics work in most cases of acute sinusitis that are caused by bacteria. Many people start feeling better 3 to 4 days after they start taking the medicine. Antibiotics won't work for infections caused by a virus. Over-the-counter medicines and home treatment can help you feel better. Taking antibiotics you don't need won't help you feel better, cure your infection, or keep you from passing the infection on to someone else. And if you take antibiotics too often, they may not work when you really do need them. Common side effects of antibiotics include: If you do take antibiotics, take them as directed. Keep taking them even after you start to feel better. The infection may not go away if you don't take all of the medicine your doctor prescribes. Whether sinusitis is caused by bacteria or by a virus, most people get better even if they don't take antibiotics.1 Home treatment for sinusitis can help relieve your symptoms. Here are some things you can do: Your doctor may recommend antibiotics if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I've had sinusitis a few times. So when my doctor suggested I take an antibiotic, I asked him if I really needed it. He said I would probably get better faster if I took the medicine. But I know from the other times that I'll probably be okay in a week or so anyway. So we decided to wait and see instead of trying antibiotics." — Maria, age 34 "I can't wait to feel better. It seems like I've had bad sinus pain for the longest time. It's been at least 2 weeks. Nasal sprays aren't helping. I'm going to ask my doctor for antibiotics." — David, 28 "I thought I just had a bad cold, but my doctor says I have sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection. I've been doing all the right things at home, but it isn't going away. I think antibiotics are the next step for me." — Carmen, 50 "I thought I'd get my doctor to give me some antibiotics for my sinusitis. Then I'd be over it sooner. But since it's been a week since my symptoms began and I'm already starting to feel better, my doctor says I don't need to take an antibiotic unless I start to feel worse. I'm going to wait it out instead." — John, age 52 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take antibiotics for acute sinusitis Reasons not to take antibiotics I know I have a bacterial infection that is causing my sinusitis. A virus is causing my sinusitis. I've tried home treatment, but it has not helped. I want to try home treatment and other medicines first. The side effects of antibiotics don't bother me. I'm worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I want to take medicine if it will help me get better faster. I don't want to take medicine that I might not need if I'll get better soon anyway. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics 1.
Is acute sinusitis most often caused by a virus? 2.
Is it okay to take antibiotics anytime you think they might help, even if you may not really need them? 3.
Can antibiotics treat acute sinusitis that is caused by bacteria? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: September 27, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardSinusitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
Sinusitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is sinusitis?
How is sinusitis treated?
How do you know if your sinusitis is caused by bacteria?
How well do antibiotics work for sinusitis?
What are the risks of antibiotics?
How can you treat acute sinusitis without antibiotics?
Why might your doctor recommend antibiotics for sinusitis?
Compare your options
Personal stories about antibiotics for sinusitis
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Sinusitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is sinusitis?
How is sinusitis treated?
How do you know if your sinusitis is caused by bacteria?
How well do antibiotics work for sinusitis?
What are the risks of antibiotics?
How can you treat acute sinusitis without antibiotics?
Why might your doctor recommend antibiotics for sinusitis?
2. Compare your options
Take antibiotics to treat acute sinusitis Don't take antibiotics What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about antibiotics for sinusitis
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.