Sinusitis: Will Antibiotics Help You Feel Better Faster?

Abstract

A sinus infection is inflammation or mucosal thickening of the sinuses and can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses or allergies. In 2/3 of people, it is caused by a virus and thus will not respond to treatment with antibiotics. In the event that the sinus infection is bacterial in origin, studies have shown that antibiotic treatment, nonetheless, does not decrease the duration of symptoms. In light of the lack of consistent evidence supporting the use of antibiotics for bacterial sinusitis and the fact that most sinus infection are viral in origin and will usually resolve with in 7 days, antibiotic treatment should NOT be first line treatment in acute sinusitis.