A recent article in the Wall Street Journal revealed new findings by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. They offered alternatives to using antibiotics to treat sinusitis. The foundation recommended “watchful waiting” before patients resort to antibiotics. The latest guidelines, published last week in the foundation’s journal, strengthen that recommendation, said Richard Rosenfeld, who chaired the group that devised the recommendations. In cases of acute sinusitis (symptoms lasting more than 10 days), the foundation recommends waiting 17 days to see if the symptoms go away on their own before taking antibiotics. Dr. Lane Krevit comments on this.
NYOG’s Dr. Lane Krevitt, agrees with the foundation’s findings.
“Observation is an excellent first line option in a non-immunocomprised patient. Depending on the clinical course there may very well be a role for antibiotics. Overprescribing antibiotics in the setting of viral infections is a setup for resistance.
Your ENT doctor plays an important role with the ability to take a culture for more clarity of the diagnosis. Supportive care such as decongestants, hypertonic saline irrigations and antihistamines are also very useful in setting of viral or bacterial infections.”
Here is a link to the full article.
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