Sinusitis, also called sinusitis, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the lining of the sinuses.
Such inflammation can be viral or bacterial, and is often caused by one Rhinitis (Runny nose) or Pharyngitis (Sore throat).
There are four sinuses that can be affected, namely the ethmoid cells, the frontal sinuses, the maxillary sinuses or the sphenoid sinus.
The most common are the maxillary sinus and ethmoid cells (see also: Inflammation of the ethmoid cells) affected by sinusitis.
The inflammation is classified according to location, course and origin, and differentiates between them.
If all sinuses are affected at the same time, one speaks of one Pansinusitis.
$config[ads_text1] not found
The following article takes a closer look at antibiotic therapy for sinus infections.
Is Sinus Infection Contagious? Find out more at How contagious is a sinus infection
A Antibiosis is a drug treatment with antibiotics that aims to destroy microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
However, bacteria are primarily the target of antibiosis.
Antibiotics are powerless against viruses, which is why not all sinusitis can be treated with antibiotics.
Antibiotics also differ in their spectrum of action, so that not every antibiotic is effective against every bacterium.
The opposite is actually the case: many bacteria are resistant to certain classes of antibiotics.
Antibiotic therapy of sinusitis is only effective and sensible if bacteria are the cause of the inflammation and, at best, it is known which bacterium it is.
Only in this way can targeted therapy be carried out.
However, bacterial infections are the cause in only 25-30% of acute sinus infections. Most of the time, the inflammation is viral.
However, there are indications that suggest a bacterial infection:
Bilateral complaints tend to suggest a viral cause.
If there is a confirmed bacterial cause or a strong suspicion, antibiotic therapy can be initiated.
In the case of chronic sinus infections, antibiotics are also prescribed in long-term therapy in addition to other therapeutic approaches.
The type of antibiotic depends on the bacterial pathogen present. Most of them are Staphylococci, Streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae and Pneumococcithat cause the sinusitis.
Below is an overview of potentially effective Antibiotics:
In acute sinusitis, an antibiotic, provided it works well, should shorten the duration of the illness by an average of 2 to 3 days. Symptoms should improve after 1 to 2 days on antibiotics. If this is not the case, you should see your doctor and discuss how to proceed. However, it is important not to simply stop taking the antibiotic unless you suffer from an intolerance or severe side effects. Discontinuing the antibiotic should be considered carefully, as incomplete intake of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance. This makes them more difficult to treat.
$config[ads_text2] not found
$config[ads_text3] not foundAntibiotics can also be used during pregnancy to fight bacterial, acute sinus infections. However, the treatment should be carefully considered just as it is outside of pregnancy. However, if the criteria for therapy with an antibiotic are present, this should also be taken. The complications of a bacterial sinus infection can otherwise be dangerous for the unborn child. Penicillins such as amoxicillin, which is also the drug of choice, are well tolerated during pregnancy and have no negative effects on the unborn child. Get detailed advice from an ENT specialist.
For acute sinus infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed for 5 to 10 days when it makes sense to take them. It is important to take the antibiotic completely for the specified period. An exception is, of course, an intolerance, allergic reaction or severe side effects.
Improvement occurs when the antibiotic is effective against the bacteria. The prerequisite for this is that the sinus infection is bacterial. A good pre-selection of patients who are likely to have a bacterial infection based on their symptoms will improve the effectiveness of the therapy. Then after about 1 to 2 days with antibiotic therapy an improvement should occur. However, it can also take 3 to 4 days, this varies greatly from person to person.
$config[ads_text4] not found
As a rule, the risk of infection decreases from about the third day of taking the antibiotic. However, it is difficult to give an exact time. The antibiotic must still be taken to the end, as only then can the killing of all bacteria be guaranteed.
Sports activities should be avoided during an acute infection. Sport is in principle very beneficial for your health, but you should take it easy in a phase of illness. You should also not be fooled by symptoms that have subsided when taking antibiotics: the disease is not over at this point. Physical exertion during an infection can lead to the disease spreading. In addition, pathogens can be carried into the heart and the heart valves. Heart muscle inflammation is particularly feared, which can occur in particular when you exercise while you have a fever. As a rule of thumb, do not exercise for up to 3 days after recovering from the illness and taking all antibiotics. After that, start with a light intensity and gradually increase. If you are unsure when to start training again and what intensity is appropriate, do not be afraid to consult your doctor. He can professionally assess your state of health and provide you with advice.
Antibiotic therapy is indicated when the cause of the sinus infection is bacterial.
The antibiotic chosen depends on the pathogen that has been confirmed or is suspected to be the cause.
The pathogens that cause sinusitis are Staphylococci, Streptococci, Pneumococci or Haemophilus influenzae.
They differ in their sensitivity to antibiotics, so that different active ingredients are used in therapy.
Staphylococci is mainly treated with 1st and 2nd generation cephalosporins. They are resistant to penicillin.
Glycopeptides such as vancomycin are used in MRSA and MRSE.
Streptococci are sensitive to penicillin so it can be used for treatment. If you are intolerant, you can switch to macrolides such as erythromycin and clarithromycin.
$config[ads_text1] not foundShould Pneumococci Cephalosporins of the 3rd generation or glycopeptides such as vancomycin are most commonly used.
Against Haemophilus influenzae one usually takes Augmentan or cephalosporins of the 2nd and 3rd generation. Macrolides can also be used.
You can also read a lot more information at: Treatment of a sinus infection