US Pharm. 2012;37(4):1.
Arlington, VA—The Infectious Diseases Society of
America (IDSA) has issued new guidelines regarding the treatment of
sinus infections. An estimated 98% of cases are caused by viruses,
rather than bacteria, and should not be treated with antibiotics—a
common practice that contributes to drug resistance. With no test to
easily determine the source of infection, many physicians prescribe
antibiotics as a precaution. If symptoms do not improve after 10 days
and include fever of 102ยบ F or higher, nasal discharge, or facial pain,
the infection is likely bacterial and should be treated with
antibiotics. For bacterial infections, the IDSA recommends a shorter
course of treatment of 5 to 7 days with amoxicillin-clavulanate, an
antibiotic combination that helps to overcome resistance.
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