Gateway Reporter

• Most acute sinusitis sufferers in the U.S. are prescribed antibiotics, even though they do not cure viral infections.
• There are several risks associated with the overuse of antibiotics.
• It's necessary to consult with a board-certified ENT doctor to ensure that you receive safe and effective treatment for your sinus issues.

Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to address sinusitis, but excessive usage may pose significant risks to a patient's well-being. Dr. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free stressed the importance of careful use of antibiotics and said that repeated antibiotic use can lead to challenges with bacterial resistance.

"It becomes a problem for people down the road," Dr. Khanna told the Gateway Reporter. "Our GI tract just becomes much more sensitive to these medications with repeated use, and it becomes a problem for us as we get into our older years. We start to deal with more resistant, tougher, and more virulent bacteria out there that don’t respond to antibiotics, and this is becoming a problem. Antibiotics really have to be used carefully; they can’t be used haphazardly."

An article published by the Mayo Clinic reports that up to one-third to one-half of antibiotic use in humans is unnecessary or inappropriate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WebMD reports that approximately 90% of adults diagnosed with acute sinusitis in the United States, a sinus infection lasting less than four weeks, are prescribed antibiotics. A sinus infection lasting for more than 12 weeks is called chronic sinusitis. Common symptoms of sinus infections include nasal congestion, headaches, coughing, facial pain or discomfort, and nasal drainage.

Cleveland Clinic highlights that numerous sinus infections may stem from viral causes. It's important to note that antibiotics are ineffective at treating viral infections. Overusing antibiotics or needlessly employing them to address viral infections can cause unnecessary side effects and cause patients to develop antibiotic resistance, potentially making future infections more challenging to treat.

The CDC states that individuals who develop antibiotic resistance may encounter heightened risks when dealing with infections linked to various medical procedures, including joint replacements, organ transplants, and diabetes treatment.

Sinus infections may also stem from allergies, which, like viral infections, may not be effectively treated with antibiotics, according to Very Well Health. An ENT specialist can determine whether antibiotics are necessary in your specific case or if you might need a different type of treatment.

According to Capitol Breathe Free's website, Dr. Khanna earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The following year, he completed his postgraduate research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2002, he received his medical degree from Albany Medical College. He then secured a place in the otolaryngology residency program at Albany Medical Center, where he completed his surgical internship and residency, holding the position of chief resident until 2007. Following the residency, Dr. Khanna obtained a fellowship in rhinology—advanced endoscopic sinus surgery—at the California Sinus Institute in Palo Alto, California. He concluded his fellowship in rhinology and achieved board certification in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery—in 2008 before returning to the D.C. metro area.