Management of Bacterial Sinusitis After Partial Treatment
Yes, you should restart the Augmentin 875 mg and complete a full course of treatment since your culture results confirmed sensitivity to the antibiotic and you still have residual symptoms of infection. 1, 2
Rationale for Completing Antibiotic Course
Bacterial sinusitis requires complete antibiotic treatment to:
- Prevent treatment failure: Partial treatment (only 3 doses) is insufficient to fully eradicate the bacterial infection 2
- Prevent antibiotic resistance: Incomplete courses increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance 2
- Ensure clinical cure: Culture results showing sensitivity to Augmentin confirm it's the appropriate antibiotic 1
Current Symptom Analysis
Your symptoms indicate partially treated but ongoing infection:
- Clear/slightly yellow mucus (improvement but not resolution)
- Yellow/green productive cough (indicates persistent infection)
- Very dry nasal passages (common during healing phase)
- Cleared ear fullness (positive sign of improvement)
Treatment Algorithm
1. Restart Augmentin 875 mg
- Take with food to reduce GI upset 2
- Complete a full 10-14 day course from initial prescription 1
- Take exactly as directed without skipping doses 2
2. Supportive Measures
- Continue saline nasal sprays/rinses for dry passages
- Adequate hydration
- Consider warm facial packs for comfort 1
3. Monitor for Response
- Expect significant improvement within 72 hours of restarting 1
- If symptoms worsen or don't improve within 72 hours of restarting, contact your doctor 1
Important Considerations
Potential Side Effects
- Diarrhea is common (monitor for severity) 2
- If severe diarrhea or bloody stools develop, contact your physician immediately 2
Treatment Duration
According to guidelines, antibiotic therapy should be continued for 10-14 days total, or alternatively, 7 days after becoming symptom-free 1
Warning Signs for Follow-up
- Worsening symptoms after restarting
- No improvement after 72 hours of restarted therapy
- Development of new symptoms 1
Evidence Quality
The recommendation to complete the full course is strongly supported by guidelines and the FDA drug label 1, 2. While some recent research has explored different dosing strategies 3, 4, the fundamental principle of completing a prescribed antibiotic course for confirmed bacterial infections remains standard practice to prevent treatment failure and antibiotic resistance.