Antibiotics Needed

[tooanxious]

Im thinking of going to the doc tommorow to get antibiotics. Basically the nasal steriod has helped some but my right nostril still feels stuffed at times and my PND is still there. I mainly have clear mucus but at times I see green specks. Im not sure if that is enough to conclude an infection though. Is there any downside to trying the antibiotics for a full course to see if it helps? Should I maybe get a CT scan to know for sure? Also can my GP do a CT scan or do I have to go to a ENT for that? thanks for the help.

[sneezydiva]

Go back to the GP and tell him your symptoms and that you don't feel better. If you want him to, he should be able to order the CT scan. Depending on what it shows, he can either treat you or refer you to an ENT.

[tooanxious]

Thanks sneezediva. I went back to the doctor. She gave me antibiotics for ten days. She said becuase the nasal steriods havent helped and its been two weeks then it is probably an infection up there. She also looked in my nose and said it looked inflamed which was more evidence for an infection.

[chigs489]

unfortunately, antibiotics rarely work for sinus infections, especially if there is an underlying structural issue, or if the sinusitis is caused by severe allergy.

Inflammation is not evidence of infection. The only way to 100% determine an infection is to do a culture (endoscopically). CT scans can indicate an "air fluid" level that may mean infection. CT scans are the best bet, however, because they can show structural issues that might need correction.

Which antibiotic were you given? Some are dangerous (Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro).

Try an irrigation routine, Sudafed, and a powerful antihistamine like Chlor-Tremiton. chances are, the sinuses will clear.