Spring is upon us! Flowers and trees are starting to bloom, and beautiful weather is returning. Unfortunately, with blooming plants comes pollen and for many people, seasonal allergies. Common allergy symptoms include a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, or a cough. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), at least 106 million people in the United States have allergies or asthma, and this number is likely even higher.
The AAFA offers several recommendations to help decrease pollen exposure, such as checking the daily pollen count before going outside and using allergy medications as appropriate. While these strategies can help manage symptoms, it can sometimes be difficult to know when allergies have progressed into something more complicated, such as acute rhinosinusitis (ARS), and when antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
It is important to remember that antibiotics do not treat allergies or the common cold, and many cases of ARS are viral in nature and require supportive care. In general, the duration and severity of symptoms are key factors in determining whether an illness has developed into a bacterial infection that may require antimicrobial treatment.
Please click the links below for more information on common pathogens and treatment algorithms.
Uncomplicated acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults: Treatment – UpToDate
How the Top 100 U.S. Cities Rank for Seasonal Pollen Allergies