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Suggest Treatment For Severe Respiratory Congestion
Question: I have had respiratory congestion for a week. I have a non expired prescription on hand for SMZ/TMP DS 800-160. Should I start taking the regiment of one pill per 12 hours ?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
Most upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, and bronchitis are caused by viruses in their initial stages, and most resolve without secondary infections with bacteria developing.
The double strength Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole that you have is for a bacterial infection.
Hallmarks of bacterial respiratory infections are yellow nasal discharge or yellow sputum, not just after resting, but all day, and usually a fever.
Most recent recommendations are to not use an antibiotic in the first 3 weeks of suspected sinus infections because 1. they usually resolve on their own, and 2. increasing concerns about development of antibiotic strains of bacteria being selected for by overuse of antibiotics.
However, if you are a diabetic, or have other illnesses that impair rate of healing, or a smoker (which also increases the rate of complications), then I would recommend using an antibiotic if you are having the bacterial symptoms I mentioned above.
If your symptoms are mostly congestion in the nose/sinuses, you can try a corticosteroid nasal spray which can be bought over the counter. These can stabilize the mucus membranes of the sinuses, leading to decreased swelling and congestion. They can take a few days to maximally kick in. An example of one is Flonase.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help further.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
Most upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, and bronchitis are caused by viruses in their initial stages, and most resolve without secondary infections with bacteria developing.
The double strength Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole that you have is for a bacterial infection.
Hallmarks of bacterial respiratory infections are yellow nasal discharge or yellow sputum, not just after resting, but all day, and usually a fever.
Most recent recommendations are to not use an antibiotic in the first 3 weeks of suspected sinus infections because 1. they usually resolve on their own, and 2. increasing concerns about development of antibiotic strains of bacteria being selected for by overuse of antibiotics.
However, if you are a diabetic, or have other illnesses that impair rate of healing, or a smoker (which also increases the rate of complications), then I would recommend using an antibiotic if you are having the bacterial symptoms I mentioned above.
If your symptoms are mostly congestion in the nose/sinuses, you can try a corticosteroid nasal spray which can be bought over the counter. These can stabilize the mucus membranes of the sinuses, leading to decreased swelling and congestion. They can take a few days to maximally kick in. An example of one is Flonase.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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