OK…so when would you need an antibiotic?
Helpful clues about whether your URI is viral or bacterial is the severity and length of symptoms. A commonly diagnosed bacterial URI is a sinus infection, also known as acute sinusitis. Your sinuses are a collection of air-filled spaces behind your face that circulate air, and they also produce mucus that helps keep your sinuses clean. Sinus infections occur when the passageways that connect these spaces become blocked. The mucus cannot drain out of the sinuses, allowing viruses or bacteria to collect and cause infection.
Symptoms of acute sinusitis include:
If these symptoms last longer than 10-14 days and are not being relieved by over-the-counter medications, then antibiotics may be prescribed to help treat symptoms.
Never hesitate to schedule an appointment at City Care if you have any of the above symptoms and want to discuss what is the best treatment for you.
We can help diagnose other infections as well such as… ear infections, pneumonia, strep throat, bronchitis, influenza, and COVID and treat them accordingly.
