Antibiotics or no antibiotics? When it comes to treating sinus infections — especially in kids — that’s one of the big questions.
As of this summer, new treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics might mean that doctors will give out fewer antibiotics to children with sinus infections.
Under the old guidelines, docs prescribed antibiotics for all kids who had bacterial sinus infections that stuck around for a week to 10 days. Now, docs can take a “wait and see” approach, observing kids for up to 72 hours more beyond the 10-day mark, without turning to the meds.
This approach, naturally, would be used for kids who don’t present severe symptoms — those who have more minor discomfort that could likely go away on its own. (Children with chronic sinusitis, which can be more complicated, could be treated differently.)
Experts in the field will be watching the effects of the new general rules, though, since fewer antibiotic prescriptions could mean fewer problems with antibiotic resistance.
Right now, a full 6 to 7 percent of kids who see doctors for respiratory symptoms have acute sinusitis, which often develops from a common cold. Warning signs of a sinus infection in kids include:
- A stuffy nose
- Thick, yellow nasal discharge
- A low fever
- Daytime coughing
- Persistent bad breath
If you suspect your child has a sinus infection, give our office a call. We’ll be happy to help you find the right course of treatment…whether or not antibiotics are involved.