Antibiotics Useless for Sinus Infections?

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat sinus infections, however a new study found that they work no better than a placebo. Also prescribing antibiotics to sinus patients can cause harm by increasing their resistance to these medications.

Researchers followed about 200 patients with sinusitis. Of the 100 who received an antibiotic, 29% had symptoms that lasted 10 days or more. Another 107 received a placebo, and 34 percent had similarly lasting symptoms.

Also the effectiveness of a nasal steroid spray for sinus infections was tested and found to work the same as the placebo

Researchers suggested that the antibiotic did not help the sinus infections because it couldn’t penetrate the pus-filled sinus cavities.

Unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics has led to enormous problems with drug resistance. Antibiotics were recently found to be ineffective against ear infections and bronchitis as well.

The researchers say the results should encourage more patients to forgo antibiotics for sinus infections.

"With a little bit of patience, the body will usually heal itself," said Dr. Ian Williamson, the study’s lead author.
Sources:

* Journal of the American Medical Association December 5, 2007;298(21):2487-2496