Most ear, nose, sinus and throat infections are due to viruses and will improve with pain relief and other simple treatments. Even if the infection is due to a bacteria, most people will recover without needing antibiotics.
Antibiotics aren’t always needed, don’t always get you better faster and have a significant risk of side effects. Shared decision making means you and your surgeon can weigh up whether antibiotics are necessary for you and a plan for what to do if you or your child are not improving without antibiotics.
Australian Guidelines recommend against prescribing antibiotics for these infections except in people who are very unwell, have a complication of infection or are at high risk of developing a complication. This can include very young children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
What every parent should know about ear, nose and throat infections in children from NPS Medicine Wise.
Middle ear infection
Shared decision making for acute otitis media (middle ear infection)
Symptomatic relief options include paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Common cold (rhinosinusitis)
Shard decision making for acute rhinosinusitis (common cold)
Symptom relief treatment options include:
- pain relief
- saline nasal sprays or rinses
- steroid nasal spray
- If the nose is very blocked, you can try decongestant nasal spray or oral medication, but
- not for children less than 6 years of age – can cause heart side effects,
- and not for more than 5 days in children over 6 years of age and adults – decongestants harm the lining of the nose if used for more than 5 days.
Sore throat and tonsillitis
People at high risk of developing rheumatic fever need treatment with antibiotics.
Shared decision making for sore throat.
Symptom relief options include:
- pain relief
- sucking on ice
- antiseptic, anti-inflammatory or anaesthetic lozenges or throat sprays.