Management of Sinus Infection with Klebsiella oxytoca
You should complete the full course of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for 10-14 days despite your side effects, as it is the appropriate antibiotic for Klebsiella oxytoca and discontinuing treatment prematurely risks treatment failure and bacterial resistance. 1, 2, 3
Understanding Your Current Situation
Your situation involves several key elements:
- Day 8 of a sinus infection
- Culture from day 3 showing Klebsiella oxytoca and skin flora
- Partial treatment with Augmentin 875mg (only 4 doses total)
- Side effects causing treatment interruption
- Improving symptoms with only residual clear nasal mucus and occasional cough with yellow/green phlegm
- History of recurring sinus infections
Treatment Plan
1. Antibiotic Therapy
- Continue Augmentin 875mg: This is the first-line treatment for Klebsiella oxytoca infections 2
- Complete a full 10-14 day course: Even though symptoms are improving, completing the full course is essential to:
2. Managing Side Effects
- Take each dose with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset 3
- If severe gastrointestinal side effects persist despite taking with food, contact your physician about alternative antibiotics:
3. Supportive Measures
- Adequate hydration
- Saline nasal irrigation
- Warm facial packs
- Steamy showers
- Sleeping with head elevated 1, 2
Addressing Your Concerns
Is the culture accurate?
Yes, the culture is likely accurate. Klebsiella oxytoca is a known cause of respiratory infections including sinusitis. The presence of skin flora is common in nasal cultures and generally represents contamination rather than pathogenic organisms.
Why did previous cultures show "no growth"?
Previous "no growth" results could be due to:
- Prior antibiotic use before culture collection
- Viral rather than bacterial causes of previous infections
- Technical issues with sample collection or processing
Monitoring and Follow-up
When to expect improvement
- You should continue to see improvement with consistent antibiotic therapy
- Most symptoms should significantly improve within 3-5 days of proper antibiotic treatment 2
When to seek further medical attention
Contact your doctor if:
- Symptoms worsen despite treatment
- No improvement after 3-5 days of consistent antibiotic therapy
- Development of new or severe side effects
- Fever develops or persists 1, 2
Special Considerations
Recurrent Infections
Since you mention recurring sinus infections, consider:
- Evaluation for underlying risk factors such as allergies or structural abnormalities
- Possible referral to an ENT specialist or allergist if infections continue to recur 1
- CT scan of sinuses may be warranted to evaluate for anatomical issues contributing to recurrent infections
Potential Complications
Be aware that Klebsiella oxytoca can occasionally cause antibiotic-associated hemorrhagic colitis, particularly with amoxicillin-containing antibiotics. If you develop severe abdominal pain or bloody diarrhea, seek immediate medical attention 5, 6.
Conclusion
The culture results are valid, and despite your improving symptoms, completing the full course of Augmentin is crucial for proper treatment of Klebsiella oxytoca sinusitis. If side effects become intolerable, promptly discuss alternative antibiotics with your doctor rather than discontinuing treatment.