The vast majority of sinus infections are caused by viruses and should not be treated with antibiotics, suggest new guidelines released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Although sinus infections are the fifth leading reason for antibiotic prescriptions, 90-98 percent of cases are caused by viruses, which are not affected by antibiotics. Improper antibiotic administration could foster the development of drug-resistant superbugs.
The guidelines — the first developed by IDSA on this topic — provide specific characteristics of the illness to help physicians distinguish between viral and bacterial sinus infections. The guidelines also provide treatment recommendations for physicians in case a sinus infection is bacterial.
"There is no simple test that will easily and quickly determine whether a sinus infection is viral or bacterial, so many physicians prescribe antibiotics 'just in case,'" said Anthony W. Chow, MD, chair of the guidelines panel and professor emeritus of infectious diseases at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. "However, if the infection turns out to be viral — as most are — the antibiotics won't help and in fact can cause harm by increasing antibiotic resistance, exposing patients to drug side effects unnecessarily and adding cost."
Although sinus infections are the fifth leading reason for antibiotic prescriptions, 90-98 percent of cases are caused by viruses, which are not affected by antibiotics. Improper antibiotic administration could foster the development of drug-resistant superbugs.
The guidelines — the first developed by IDSA on this topic — provide specific characteristics of the illness to help physicians distinguish between viral and bacterial sinus infections. The guidelines also provide treatment recommendations for physicians in case a sinus infection is bacterial.
"There is no simple test that will easily and quickly determine whether a sinus infection is viral or bacterial, so many physicians prescribe antibiotics 'just in case,'" said Anthony W. Chow, MD, chair of the guidelines panel and professor emeritus of infectious diseases at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. "However, if the infection turns out to be viral — as most are — the antibiotics won't help and in fact can cause harm by increasing antibiotic resistance, exposing patients to drug side effects unnecessarily and adding cost."
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