Sinus infection, or sinusitis, means that the sinuses are inflamed and/or infected. Sinusitis is typically associated with sinus pain, usually in several locations. Additionally, thick nasal secretions that are yellow, green or blood-tinged are also associated with sinusitis, notes the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. First-line treatment often involves using antibiotics such as amoxicillin to address the infection and over-the-counter medication for pain.
Prevalence
Sinus infections are very common in the United States, where it is estimated that almost 31 million adults suffer from chronic sinusitis yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sinus infections result in 15 billion doctor visits and upward of 200,000 surgical procedures annually, notes NIAID. These numbers do not include acute sinusitis, which is more prevalent, but good estimates of incidence are lacking.
Types
Health professionals normally divide sinusitis cases into several categories based on the duration of signs and symptoms. According to NIAID, acute sinusitis lasts up to four weeks, and subacute sinusitis has a duration of four to 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis lasts more than 12 weeks and, in some extreme cases, it can last for years, notes NIAID. Another subtype is recurrent sinusitis, which occurs when an individual has several attacks in one year.
Causes
Acute sinusitis often begins with a common cold, which can inflame the sinuses. When this inflammation leads to a bacterial infection, acute sinusitis begins. The inflammation causes swelling of the mucous membranes of the sinuses, which can impede mucus from draining out of the nose. This mucus is a source of nutrients for the bacteria, which can then multiply, notes the NIAID.
Treatment
Amoxicillin, otherwise known as Amoxil, is an acceptable first antibiotic for an uncomplicated acute sinus infection, notes the Cleveland Clinic. However, if no improvement is noted with amoxicillin after about three days, the patient is often switched to amoxicillin-clavulanate, also called Augmentin, for the remainder of the course. In general, an antibiotic needs to be continued for around two weeks, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, for chronic sinusitis, the clinic states that antibiotic therapy might need to be continued for four to six weeks.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is in the penicillin group of antibiotic drugs, therefore this medication should be avoided by those with a penicillin allergy. Amoxicillin may make birth control pills less effective; therefore, additional birth control should be used while on this medication, notes Drug.com. Amoxicillin can be taken with or without food. Side effects of amoxicillin include diarrhea, headache, stomach pain, nausea and thrush.
