Why Won’t My Sinus Infection Go Away With Antibiotics?
Published April 12, 2023
You may wonder, “Why won’t my sinus infection go away with antibiotics?” If you have a viral infection for an extended period, it can give you a sinus infection; if not treated immediately, bacteria may join in. Even more so, if the symptoms of your sinus infection have been lingering for weeks, your likelihood of getting an antibiotic goes up.
However, most of the time, long-standing symptoms are due to a virus, not bacteria, and this is the reason why antibiotics not working for sinus infection!
Why Won’t My Sinus Infection Go Away With Antibiotics?
Sinusitis or rhinosinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the sinus lining. Sinuses are cavities that normally contain air. Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergies can irritate the sinuses, causing them to become clogged and filled with fluid. This might result in facial pressure and discomfort, nasal congestion, and other symptoms.
Acute sinusitis is when viruses are the cause of your sinusitis infection; the viruses that cause this are like those that cause the common cold. Acute sinusitis typically lasts for less than one month. Your symptoms may disappear on their own in a week or two, but it could take three to four weeks.
Causes and Risks
Frequent causes of acute sinusitis are the common cold and allergies. Sinusitis can also be brought on by a bacterial or fungal infection that leads to swelling and a blockage of the nasal passages. People with nasal structural abnormalities, nasal allergies, polyps, or who spend time in locations where infections are widespread are more prone to develop acute sinusitis.
Symptoms
The most noticeable symptoms of acute sinusitis are:
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Yellow or green thick nasal discharge
- Facial tenderness, pain, and pressure
- Halitosis
Can I Prevent Having Acute Sinusitis?
There are ways to help you reduce the risk of developing acute sinusitis:
- The best approach is to work with your doctor to help you manage your allergies.
- If the air at your place of work or home is dry, having a humidifier to add moisture may prevent sinusitis. Regular cleaning will ensure that the humidifier remains clean and mold-free.
- Pollutants and tobacco smoke can cause irritation and inflammation in the nasal passages. Try to avoid going to places with polluted air and avoid cigarette smoke.
- Avoid coming into contact with sick people.
How Will I Treat My Sinus Infection?
The majority of people recover on their own within a week or two, with little to no treatment. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, and most cases of sinusitis is caused by viruses or other causes that cannot be treated with antibiotics.
A few possible treatments include finding methods for managing the symptoms you’re experiencing:
- Get plenty of rest and drink extra fluids.
- Take over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for severe discomfort.
- The nasal passages should be irrigated with saline solution. This can be done longer than five days.
- You could try using nasal sprays or decongestants to help clear your stuffy nose. But unless your doctor tells you to, you shouldn’t use an over-the-counter nasal spray medication for more than three days.
When to Contact a Doctor
To answer your question, “Why won’t my sinus infection go away with antibiotics?” It is most probably a virus that caused it. You can try nasal rinses and a warm, damp towel on your face if you experience facial pain to see if they provide relief. If that’s the case, and your symptoms resolve within a week or two, you probably had acute sinusitis, which resolved on its own. However, if you don’t feel better after three to four weeks, you should contact your doctor.
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About The Author
Krizzia Paolyn has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She started her career as a content writer for various digital magazines and renowned publications. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.
