Sinusitis Causes - Inflammatory and Infectious Causes - Bacterial Infections

Bacterial Infections - Symptoms of bacterial sinusitis can be identical to those of a viral infection, although bacterial sinusitis symptoms are usually more severe and last longer. Acute bacterial sinusitis is most often caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. This kind of infection must be carefully treated. In fact, in some areas of the country, more than half of Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria are resistant to amoxicillin at standard dosages. The pneumococcal vaccine prevents most, but not all, infections caused by Streptococcus pneumonia. If you have had repeated bacterial sinus infections, your doctor may encourage you to get this vaccination. Another bacterium that is a frequent cause of sinusitis is Haemophilus influenza. Almost 30% of Haemophilus influenza bacteria are resistant to amoxicillin, but there are other antibiotics that are effective for resistant Haemophilus influenza infections. A third bacterium that is a common cause of sinusitis is Moraxella catarrhalis. Although it is almost always resistant to amoxicillin, sinusitis caused by this bacterium frequently resolves even without antibiotics, and rarely causes a long-term problem.