For a bacterial sinus infection, you should start to feel better within 2 to 3 days of starting amoxicillin, with significant improvement after 3 to 4 days. The full course of treatment, typically 5 to 10 days, is necessary to fully clear the infection and prevent recurrence or antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics work in most cases of acute sinusitis that are caused by bacteria. Many people start feeling better 3 to 4 days after they start taking the medicine.
How effective are amoxicillin and Augmentin for treating sinus infections? Amoxicillin and Augmentin are both first-choice antibiotics for treating most bacterial sinus infections. For initial treatment, these medications work just as well as other antibiotics that cover a broader range of bacteria.
The reason your sinus infection might persist despite using antibiotics is because sinusitis is typically caused by a viral infection. Antibiotics are effective only for bacterial or fungal infections, and unfortunately, they do not work on viruses.
Reasonable choices include amoxicillin/clavulanate; the second-generation cephalosporin cefuroxime; third-generation cephalosporins such as cefixime, ceftibutin, cefpodoxime, or ceftriaxone; and nonb-lactam antibiotics such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxasole (TMP/SMX) or the macrolides, azithromycin or clarithromycin.
Amoxicillin–Clavulanate (Augmentin) is considered the first-line antibiotic for most bacterial sinus infections. For patients allergic to penicillin, alternatives include: Doxycycline. Cefuroxime.
Remember:
To get rid of a sinus infection fast, use at-home remedies like saline nasal rinses (Neti pot), steam inhalation (hot shower/bowl), and staying hydrated with warm fluids, combined with OTC pain relievers and decongestants, while getting lots of rest; for bacterial infections (lasting over 10 days or severe), see a doctor for potential antibiotics, as antibiotics don't work for viruses.
Some signs your sinus infection is getting better include:
Acute sinusitis symptoms (nasal congestion, drainage, facial pain/pressure and decreased sense of smell) last less than four weeks. It's usually caused by viruses like the common cold. Subacute sinusitis symptoms last four to 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis symptoms last at least 12 weeks.
Current national recommendations are to use an antibiotic for patients with a duration of illness longer than 1 week, as these patients are presumably more likely to have a bacterial infection.
Allergies, nasal problems, and certain diseases can also cause acute and chronic sinusitis. Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, fatigue, cough, and congestion. There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip.
To treat a sinus infection during pregnancy, focus on safe home remedies like saline nasal rinses, steam inhalation, warm compresses, and staying hydrated, while using acetaminophen for pain and resting; always consult your doctor before taking any medication, especially to avoid NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) and oral decongestants, as some are unsafe in pregnancy. A doctor might prescribe pregnancy-safe antibiotics if symptoms are severe or persist, but generally, the goal is symptom relief with gentle methods.
Warning signs you should never ignore
DO avoid allergy triggers.
For adults, 5 to 7 days is enough
While previous guidelines have recommended taking antibiotics for 10 days to two weeks, the new guidelines suggest five to seven days of antibiotics is long enough for the treatment of adults, and will not encourage bacterial resistance.
Hay fever or another allergy that affects the sinuses. A common cold that affects the sinuses. A problem inside the nose, such as a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps or tumors. A medical condition such as cystic fibrosis or an immune system disorder such as HIV/AIDS.
“Normally, mucus is clear. When you have a cold or infection, it might turn green or yellow,” said Alyssa.
If you are experiencing a viral sinus infection, you can't spread the infection to others, but you can pass along the virus. Someone who catches the virus from you is then at a higher risk of also developing a sinus infection. You may be contagious for up to two weeks. Sinus infections can also be caused by bacteria.
Seek urgent care if:
In fact, a study from Washington University School of Medicine shows that antibiotics typically prescribed for sinus infections do not reduce symptoms any better or help patients recover any faster than a placebo, or sugar pill. Most people get better on their own.
Sinus infections and COVID-19 can both cause congestion and sore throats, but COVID-19 often presents with additional symptoms like body aches and loss of smell. Understanding the key differences between COVID and a sinus infection can help with getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
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Common symptoms of sinus infection include:
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