There are two types of antibiotics that are commonly used for sinus infections. The first is known as narrow spectrum antibiotics. What this means is that it is designed to only fight a certain strain of bacteria. The second is a broad spectrum antibiotic that usually attacks a wide range of bacteria.

Several studies have proven that the second type is more effective but can be more likely to promote antibiotic resistance. This is the reason why most physicians will prescribesuggest the first type before they resort to the second when there is no other option left. Here are some of the antibiotics on the market.

The first are Aminoglycosides and these are grouped as narrow spectrum antibiotics. This can be taken through irrigation or inhaling through the nose. Given the fact that it is very powerful, this should only be taken in the presence of a doctor because it has serious side effects that cause damage to hearing, sense of balance and may cause even result in some damage to your kidneys.

You also have Macrolides which are another form of narrow spectrum antibiotics as it is designed to fight the cocci bacteria. This can be taken orally and tests have proven that it is very effective in slowing or blocking protein formation in the bacteria.

There are also Cephalosporins which are broad spectrum antibiotics. This can be taken orally or through the ear and often used for patients who have developed a resistance to penicillin. The side effects associated with this antibiotic are diarrhea and rashes.

Penicillin is not only used to treat individuals with kidney problems. They can also be used to fight bacterial that causes sinus infection by slowing metabolic functions vital to bacterial cell wall formation and by stimulating production of enzymes that eventually destroy cell walls. Thus, making it another example of broad spectrum antibiotics that will only attack actively multiplying bacteria. The two commonly used are amoxycillin and amoxycillin-clavulanate.

Among the antibiotics mentioned, Quinolones and Fluoroquinolones are rarely prescribed to patients. These two are broad spectrum antibiotics and although it is effective in treating legionella and mycoplasma, it can interfere with a patient’s DNA activity.

People should keep in mind that a sinus infection is different from a cold.  The sinus infection can be caused by the cold and the only time that the physician will recommend an antibiotic is when this infection lasts longer than 7 days.

In order for the physician to recommend the best antibiotic around, he or she must first confirm the kind of bacteria that is present. To do this, the physician will remove a swab of nasal discharge and let it grow into a bacterial culture in the laboratory.

If properly identified, the doctor will be able to prescribe the correct antibiotic and you should see an improvement within a day or two after starting the treatment. However, if you only feel better on the tenth day, your condition improved not because of the antibiotic but because your body was somehow able to fight the bacteria on its own power.

Antibiotics can only be used if bacteria caused your sinus infection . Otherwise, something else will be recommended to fix the issue.