Another Blow for Sinus Infection Antibiotics
Mar 18, 2016
It has been a ringing bell for some time: the slow alarm about the danger of overprescribing antibiotics for ENT ailments. Now there is new ammunition to support sinus doctors such as myself who favor a more conservative approach: a definitive set of guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
“Inappropriate use of antibiotics for [acute respiratory tract infections] ARTIs is an important factor contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections, which is a public health threat,” ACP President Dr. Wayne Riley said in the news release.
“Reducing overuse of antibiotics for ARTIs in adults is a clinical priority and a High Value Care way to improve quality of care, lower health care costs, and slow and/or prevent the continued rise in antibiotic resistance,” he added.
The new guidelines strongly discourage the preventive use of antibiotics altogether, recommending a “wait and see” approach followed by more aggressive measures if necessary.
My Los Angeles sinus surgery center has long been dedicated to this kind of restraint, as well as an expert approach to sinus surgery when symptoms persist. Call us today to learn more.