Sinus Infection or Cold

Three days ago I started feeling a scratchy sore throat. The next day it continued. The following day the sore throat was gone and nasal congestion started. Lots of pressure around the nose and headaches in my forehead. I am now sneezing like crazy and blowing my nose alot. All mucous is clear and I have no fever.  Can't decide if this is a sinus infection or just a cold.

[Michaela31]

I think it's viral. I had excactly the same symptoms and I went to the Doctor because my throat was swelling, the doctor gave me antibiotics just incase it wasn't viral. Its very hard to pin point what it actually is so you could just go to the doctor and see what they say...

[Ness_is_a_mess]

I am still trying to recover from  viral infection.  I thought that it was sinus infection.  I was given Allegra but havent used it yet.  Instead,  I am using a nasal spray and just trying to do old fashioned remedies:  humidifier,  running hot showers to losen phlem. I have been sick for 6+ weeks now. Still feel terrible.

N

[sara01]

1)The common cold is frequently mistaken for a sinus infection. Viral infections which are the cause of colds, do not respond to antibiotics.

2) Treatment of the common cold or allergy symptoms with antibiotics is inappropriate and may contribute to the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria

3) The unnecessary ordering of antibiotics exposes a patient to the risks of antibiotic side effects. In many cases this includes stomach upset, diarrhea and a host of other possible effects.

4) Drug allergy most often develops from a previous exposure. The sensitization process is silent (meaning you don’t feel it). After sensitization subsequent intake of the specific antibiotic may be associated with skin rash swelling or more severe allergic reaction.

5) If you have symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection for less than 7-10 days there is a good chance it represents a viral syndrome (common cold). Your immune system should ward off the cold within 7-10 days.

Your doctor decides whether an antibiotic is necessary after examining you. There may be evidence on the physical exam that suggests a bacterial infection (which would warrant an antibiotic). Otherwise it may be determined that conservative measures such as steam, fluids, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and rest are all that is needed for the time being.

[gymdandee]

Short courses of antibiotics have long-term impact on microbial flora of human gut




Short courses of antibiotics can leave normal gut bacteria harbouring antibiotic resistance genes for up to two years after treatment, say scientists writing in the latest issue of Microbiology, published on 3 November.

The researchers believe that this reservoir increases the chances of resistance genes being surrendered to pathogenic bacteria, aiding their survival and suggesting that the long-term effects of antibiotic therapy are more significant than previously thought.

Antibiotics that are prescribed to treat pathogenic bacteria also have an impact on the normal microbial flora of the human gut. Antibiotics can alter the composition of microbial populations (potentially leading to other illnesses) and allow micro-organisms that are naturally resistant to the antibiotic to flourish.

The impact of antibiotics on the normal gut flora has previously been thought to be short-term, with any disturbances being restored several weeks after treatment. However, the review into the long-term impacts of antibiotic therapy reveals that this is not always the case. Studies have shown that high levels of resistance genes can be detected in gut microbes after just 7 days of antibiotic treatment and that these genes remain present for up to two years even if the individual has taken no further antibiotics.

The consequences of this could be potentially life-threatening explained Dr Cecilia Jernberg from the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control who conducted the review. "The long-term presence of resistance genes in human gut bacteria dramatically increases the probability of them being transferred to and exploited by harmful bacteria that pass through the gut. This could reduce the success of future antibiotic treatments and potentially lead to new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria."

The review highlights the necessity of using antibiotics prudently. "Antibiotic resistance is not a new problem and there is a growing battle with multi-drug resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria. The development of new antibiotics is slow and so we must use the effective drugs we have left with care," said Dr Jernberg. "This new information about the long-term impacts of antibiotics is of great importance to allow rational antibiotic administration guidelines to be put in place," she said.

SOURCE Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control