Sinusitis antibiotics

Many sinus symptoms begin with inflammation after a viral upper-airway illness. Antibiotics act against certain bacteria, not viruses, and an unnecessary course can cause side effects or make future infections harder to treat. Symptoms such as facial pressure, coloured mucus, cough, or a blocked nose do not establish the cause on their own. The assessment may include your symptom timeline, temperature and general health, medicines, allergies, and an examination of the nose and throat.

Do not use leftover antibiotics, share another person’s prescription, or stop and restart a course without advice. If prescribed, take it exactly as directed and tell the prescriber about medicine allergies, pregnancy, kidney or liver problems, and previous reactions. A pharmacist can explain common side effects and interactions. Supportive measures such as fluids, rest, saline nasal care, and suitable pain relief may be discussed while inflammation settles.

Seek medical advice when symptoms are severe, worsening after initial improvement, unusually persistent, or repeatedly returning. Get urgent help for swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, severe facial swelling, trouble breathing, confusion, a stiff neck, or inability to keep fluids down. If an antibiotic causes facial swelling, wheezing, faintness, or a rapidly spreading rash, treat this as an emergency and seek immediate help.

Ask what cause is most likely, what improvement to expect without an antibiotic, whether your medicines or allergies affect the options, and what symptoms should prompt a review.