Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Antibiotics Not Effective for Sinusitis

Antibiotics Not Effective for Sinusitis - Short duration of Sinusitis (acute) was less effective if treated with antibiotics. This is because most sinusitis is usually caused by viral infection or allergy.

In a study conducted Dr.Jane Garbutt, researchers and pediatricians from the Washington University School of Medicine, revealed that administration of antibiotics does not speed healing of sinusitis.

"We did a randomized study of adult patients diagnosed with acute sinusitis. When compared to placebo there was no difference in antibiotic therapy," says Garbutt.

Yet about one in five prescriptions circulating in the United States was aimed at treating sinusitis.

"Acute sinusitis is not fun. So most people want the disease to disappear and antibiotics are considered to accelerate healing. In fact, sinusitis most often caused by viral infections, so antibiotics do not help much," he said.

Sinusitis is an inflammation that occurs in the lining of the sinuses. Pain near the eye, headache, and difficulty breathing are common symptoms suffered. Colds and allergies are the most frequent cause of sinusitis, although sometimes also triggered by bacteria.

According to the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic treatment is only for sinusitis with moderate or severe symptoms. Giving antibiotics inappropriately feared would increase antibiotic resistance.

Research conducted by Garbutt and colleagues, involved 166 patients suffering from acute sinusitis. They dibangi in two groups, namely that got antibiotics and a placebo drug alias that does not have an active substance.

"Most people who suffer from acute sinusitis will heal itself without drugs. But they feel if it did not receive antibiotics nothing can be done," said Dr.Richard Lebowitz, ENT specialists.

In fact, according to him there are many things you can do to speed healing of sinusitis. For example, warms the face or use a decongestant that is sprayed into the nasal passages.

"Upper respiratory tract infections usually occur one to two weeks. Adjusted to the required treatment of symptoms. But if the complaints persist until more than two weeks, you should consult a doctor," says Lebowitz.

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