Most cases of acute sinusitis can be treated with appropriate oral antibiotics administered over 14-21 days. If symptoms don t resolve, the physician may repeat the course of therapy. Unfortunately, some patients with acute sinusitis fail to respond to initial or repeated courses of standard oral antibiotic therapy. Most patients with CS will be treated with a combination of oral antibiotics, decongestants, saline nasal sprays, and if the patient has allergies, antihistamines may be used. The most common cause of recurrent sinusitis is failure of the patient to take the entire course of therapy as their physician prescribed.
Misuse of antibiotics can prolong symptoms.
Cultures may also be obtained to identify specific bacteria. A culture can help an Otolaryngologist determine the appropriate antibiotic regimen. The physician may perform an in-office endoscopic examination of the sinus utilizing a special lighted scope inserted through the nose. A chronic infection is treated based upon the specific circumstance of the patient s sinus anatomy and the identified bacteria causing the infection. The IV route of administration avoids the problems of reduced or delayed absorption that occurs with oral medication which first must pass through the digestive tract.