Antibiotics May Not Help Sinus Infections, Researchers Advocate ‘Watchful Waiting’ Instead
Over the past few years in particular, the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of certain bacteria has been- in a word- terrifying.
Overuse of antibiotics has certainly contributed to this grave medical issue, and doctors have increasingly been voicing concern over use of antibiotics where they may not be necessary. One common application of antibiotics is to treat a sinus infection, and a new study examines whether that particular approach is causing more harm than good.
The difficulty comes down to the cause of sinus infections- some may be bacterial, but like colds, some may be viral and not responsive to antibiotics. Jane Garbutt of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis led the study, and she explains:
“There is not much to be gained from antibiotics [for sinus infections.] Rather than give everybody an antibiotic hoping to find the [ones] with bacteria, our findings would suggest refraining from antibiotics and doing what we call watchful waiting.”
Garbutt adds:
“[Sinus infections are] the fifth most common reason antibiotics are prescribed for adults. It’s hard for doctors not to give an antibiotic because patients are so miserable, and we don’t have anything else to give them.”
Studies have demonstrated less than two percent of sinus infections are bacterial.
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About the Author
Kim LaCapria Kim LaCapria is a writer and editor based in New York. A longtime information junkie, she began blogging full-time at the Inquisitr in 2009. Prior to that, she worked as a marketing assistant in the cosmetics and skincare industry. In addition to her writing for fortytwotimes, she also writes for Medacity and The Inquisitr. Kim is also a contributor for SocialNewsDaily, Indyposted, and TotallyMoney. In the past, she contributed to Lipstick and Luxury and managed social media accounts and blogs for several small and mid-sized businesses.
