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Most children with cough, runny nose and
other symptoms of sinus trouble are unlikely to benefit from
antibiotics.
In a study of children diagnosed with
acute sinusitis lasting at least 10 days, those given an inactive
placebo pill were just as likely to get better as children
prescribed antibiotics. Symptoms improved within 7 days in
81% of children in each group and within 10 days in 87% of
all children.
There was
no benefit of antibiotics versus placebo for getting rid of
symptoms.
Children were treated with a placebo or
one of two types of antibiotics, amoxicillin or Augmentin.
The study also found that antibiotic therapy
was no better than placebo for preventing the relapse or recurrence
of symptoms, or reducing absences from school or day care.
Side effects were similar in all three treatment groups, although
children taking amoxicillin were more likely to experience
abdominal pain.
The researchers
concluded that if parents just hang in there, the children
will get better on their own.
Most cases of sinusitis appear to be caused
by viruses, against which antibiotics are powerless.
The
study does not mean that antibiotics should never be used
to treat sinusitis or other acute respiratory illnesses, only
that they should be used "judiciously."
Some children may have bacterial infections
that will respond to antibiotics, so a doctor may prescribe
antibiotics for some children with symptoms that will not
go away on their own, researchers said.
Pediatrics
April 2001;107:619-625
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