Antibiotics Do Zilch for Sinus Infections

The next time you get a sinus infection, maybe you should skip the antibiotics—because they don't actually do anything for you, a new study has found. Researchers discovered that patients who received the commonly-prescribed amoxicillin didn't see any significant benefit in terms of symptom reduction compared to those who got a placebo. "Our results show that antibiotics aren't necessary for basic sinus infections," the study's senior author tells the AFP. "Most people get better on their own."

The researchers believe doctors are over-prescribing the antibiotic, despite limited evidence that it actually works. "There is a movement afoot, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to try to improve the judicious use of antibiotics," another author says. "We hope this study provides scientific evidence that doctors can use with patients to explain that an antibiotic is not likely to help an acute sinus infection." (More sinus infections stories.)