Sinus Infection
Friday, March 7, 2008

One of the most common complications of the common cold or flu is a sinus infection. A recent study by British researchers learned that steroids and antibiotics may not help with the infections. Dr. Ken Davis has more in today’s 60 Second Housecall.

A sinus infection is a common complication of the cold or flu. A British study has found that antibiotics may not have a significant effect on treating sinus infections. The study’s findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers studied 240 patients ages 16 and older whose symptoms suggested that they had a bacterial sinus infection.

Study patients received amoxicillin antibiotic treatment with or without nasal steroid sprays. A fourth of the patients received placebo pills and placebo sprays.

Ten days later, patients who got no active treatment were just as likely to be cured as those treated with antibiotics. Steroid nasal sprays made little difference, although they seemed to help with very mild nasal congestion.

Researchers noted that bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotics and warned that antibiotics that are not effective spur the growth of drug-resistant bacteria.

For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.