Treating Sinusitis Without Antibiotics

It has long been a source of some debate in ENT circles: to prescribe, or to wait. Antibiotic resistance is a grave and growing threat to human health, and the overprescription of antibiotics is one of the principal reasons why. ENTs are among the biggest perpetrators of overprescription, which is why it is necessary to have a discussion about alternative approaches to sinus care.

This article addresses some of the most essential ways you can seek relief without turning to the bottle. Among its fine points, this one stands out:

Sinus infections can turn into a bacterial infection, due to the prolonged blockage in the sinus cavity. It is not easy to determine whether the infection is viral or bacterial, considering that the symptoms are the same for both. Even if the infection becomes bacterial, 70 percent of the time the infection will go away within two weeks without antibiotics.

If your symptoms persist after that fortnight, or if you are experience intense facial pain or very high fever, then it’s time to get a script. Otherwise you may be just as well off waiting to see if the problem resolves on its own. Humanity will thank you too.