Always treat a sinus infection with antibiotics

Shape, Sept, 2008

A CLOGGED NOSE AND PUFFY EYES ARE ENOUGH to make any woman ask for a quick fix. "But antibiotics are useless for most sinus infections," says Melissa Pynnonen, M.D., an assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Michigan. "These illnesses are usually caused by viruses, not bacteria." In fact, 80 percent of sinusitis cases clear up on their own within two weeks, found a review in the Cochrane Library.

How can you tell what type of bug you have? Bacterial infections typically affect only one side of your nose and may be accompanied by a toothache. If you don't have either of these signs, wait 10 days before seeing your M.D. In the meantime, get relief with an OTC decongestant.