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Does Levoquin Help In Treating Sinus Infection?
Posted on
Wed, 11 May 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 11 May 2016
Answered on
Thu, 23 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello,
I have been fighting a sinus infection since 2013. Each culture shows an abundance of Citrobacter Ferundii, which I've learned is uncommon. I treated with Doxycycline, a couple days of Levoquin (I can't tolerate that antibiotic well- not allergic), Bactrim (I found out I am allergic to Sulfa drugs). I underwent sinus surgery in January 2014 and sinuses were draining better. During December 2014 I had another infection with Citrobacter Ferundii during my second pregnancy and used a nasal inhaler of celfofloxin for 3 weeks. That infection ended up resolving on its own (meaning I didn't have sinus blockage) 2 months after I finished the antibiotic. I was symptom free until November 2015, but after 3 weeks without treatment it resolved on its own. Now, for the last month, I have another infection (sinus blockage and general fatigue). The culture again came back as Citrobacter Ferundii. I have attached the culture and sensitivity report to the next page. I am currently breastfeeding (my daughter is 15 months) and plan to stop in the next couple months. I can expedite that process if I need more immediate treatment. I have a couple questions...
1) How likely is it that my infection resolves with Levoquin? What about Cipro?
2) If it doesn't resolve using these antibiotics, what should I do next? Does each time I treat, make the bacteria more resistant?
3) If I cannot tolerate Levoquin or Cipro, what options do I have?
4) Is this something I need to treat now? What are the dangers of having this recurrent infection?
5) Why is this infection asymptotic for an extended period and then resurfaces... and continually so?
I have been fighting a sinus infection since 2013. Each culture shows an abundance of Citrobacter Ferundii, which I've learned is uncommon. I treated with Doxycycline, a couple days of Levoquin (I can't tolerate that antibiotic well- not allergic), Bactrim (I found out I am allergic to Sulfa drugs). I underwent sinus surgery in January 2014 and sinuses were draining better. During December 2014 I had another infection with Citrobacter Ferundii during my second pregnancy and used a nasal inhaler of celfofloxin for 3 weeks. That infection ended up resolving on its own (meaning I didn't have sinus blockage) 2 months after I finished the antibiotic. I was symptom free until November 2015, but after 3 weeks without treatment it resolved on its own. Now, for the last month, I have another infection (sinus blockage and general fatigue). The culture again came back as Citrobacter Ferundii. I have attached the culture and sensitivity report to the next page. I am currently breastfeeding (my daughter is 15 months) and plan to stop in the next couple months. I can expedite that process if I need more immediate treatment. I have a couple questions...
1) How likely is it that my infection resolves with Levoquin? What about Cipro?
2) If it doesn't resolve using these antibiotics, what should I do next? Does each time I treat, make the bacteria more resistant?
3) If I cannot tolerate Levoquin or Cipro, what options do I have?
4) Is this something I need to treat now? What are the dangers of having this recurrent infection?
5) Why is this infection asymptotic for an extended period and then resurfaces... and continually so?
Brief Answer:
Please check the report and attach again!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.
Seems you forgot to attach the culture and sensitivity testing script. This is very much needed to understand your problem and provide personalized and helpful responses to your questions. Can you please check and attach this report again at your earliest convenience?
To upload an image, click on the upload icon to the right of your dashboard and follow the onscreen instructions. You may also send it directly to customer service at YYYY@YYYY and request that it should be uploaded to your query.
I hope to hear from you and promise to respond promptly. Until next, I wish you well.
Please check the report and attach again!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.
Seems you forgot to attach the culture and sensitivity testing script. This is very much needed to understand your problem and provide personalized and helpful responses to your questions. Can you please check and attach this report again at your earliest convenience?
To upload an image, click on the upload icon to the right of your dashboard and follow the onscreen instructions. You may also send it directly to customer service at YYYY@YYYY and request that it should be uploaded to your query.
I hope to hear from you and promise to respond promptly. Until next, I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
Brief Answer:
Thanks fo adding the attachments!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for uploading the reports.
1. This germ is both sensitive to copra and levoquin and as such they should be able to resolve your problem.
2. If it doesn’t, you may need surgical curettage to help cleanse the infected area as this ay suggest that antibiotics penetrate this area poorly. This may need direct irrigation and sinus drainage.
3. There are many other options with ceftriaxone and cefpodoxime being great alternatives.
4. If you have recurrent symptoms, then you need to get it treated. If not, this might be simple colonisation. In any case, this causes symptoms such as headaches, pains, etc. and you will certainly not want to deal with this always.
5. A germ alone is not a sufficient reason though a necessary condition. When it multiplies and reach significant numbers, at that time it causes symptoms. When treated this resolves only to resurface. Maybe a sustained treatment followed up by culture to establish complete sterilization is strongly recommended.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Thanks fo adding the attachments!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for uploading the reports.
1. This germ is both sensitive to copra and levoquin and as such they should be able to resolve your problem.
2. If it doesn’t, you may need surgical curettage to help cleanse the infected area as this ay suggest that antibiotics penetrate this area poorly. This may need direct irrigation and sinus drainage.
3. There are many other options with ceftriaxone and cefpodoxime being great alternatives.
4. If you have recurrent symptoms, then you need to get it treated. If not, this might be simple colonisation. In any case, this causes symptoms such as headaches, pains, etc. and you will certainly not want to deal with this always.
5. A germ alone is not a sufficient reason though a necessary condition. When it multiplies and reach significant numbers, at that time it causes symptoms. When treated this resolves only to resurface. Maybe a sustained treatment followed up by culture to establish complete sterilization is strongly recommended.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response!
My goal is to eradicate this bacteria instead of continually treating symptoms/flare-ups. With that goal in mind, I have a few more questions to clarify.
1) I see you have suggested a couple different courses of treatment (sustained antibiotics, flush the site and then antibiotics). Which do you recommend I do first?
2) If you think I should do the systemic antibiotic first, which one would you start with knowing I don't react well to Levoquin and Cipro, tried Doxycycline to no avail, and Ceftrioxine in a nasal aspirator- all years ago. I will get through a course of the flouriquines if it guarantees eradication. Is it better to start with the most sensitive antibiotic first or hold out in using that if another one doesn't work and I require drainage?
3) If the systemic antibiotic doesn't work and I end up having to drain it and then go back on a sensitive antibiotic, will the bacteria become more resistant since its been exposed before? I'm worried that I will end up at some point in my life with a weakened immune system and an opportunistic and now resistant bacteria.
Thank you so much again for your time.
My goal is to eradicate this bacteria instead of continually treating symptoms/flare-ups. With that goal in mind, I have a few more questions to clarify.
1) I see you have suggested a couple different courses of treatment (sustained antibiotics, flush the site and then antibiotics). Which do you recommend I do first?
2) If you think I should do the systemic antibiotic first, which one would you start with knowing I don't react well to Levoquin and Cipro, tried Doxycycline to no avail, and Ceftrioxine in a nasal aspirator- all years ago. I will get through a course of the flouriquines if it guarantees eradication. Is it better to start with the most sensitive antibiotic first or hold out in using that if another one doesn't work and I require drainage?
3) If the systemic antibiotic doesn't work and I end up having to drain it and then go back on a sensitive antibiotic, will the bacteria become more resistant since its been exposed before? I'm worried that I will end up at some point in my life with a weakened immune system and an opportunistic and now resistant bacteria.
Thank you so much again for your time.
Brief Answer:
See below!!
Detailed Answer:
hi,
1. I recommend sustained antibiotics first. If you have issues with the other antibiotics such as Cipro and Levaquin, I suggest that you start with ceftriaxone.
2. Start with ceftriaxone. It is better to start with the most sensitive. There is no need using less sensitive first unless there are reasons to preclude using most sensitive ones like allergies.
3. A germ alone will not cause a weakened immune system. Antibiotics will not cause that either. Be relaxed and do not worry about this.
I wish you well and hope to get updated from you about this.
See below!!
Detailed Answer:
hi,
1. I recommend sustained antibiotics first. If you have issues with the other antibiotics such as Cipro and Levaquin, I suggest that you start with ceftriaxone.
2. Start with ceftriaxone. It is better to start with the most sensitive. There is no need using less sensitive first unless there are reasons to preclude using most sensitive ones like allergies.
3. A germ alone will not cause a weakened immune system. Antibiotics will not cause that either. Be relaxed and do not worry about this.
I wish you well and hope to get updated from you about this.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response.
My final question.
I tried the ceftrioxime in a nasal aspirator during pregnancy a year and a half ago and it didn't eradicate this bacteria. The nurse at the ENT office said it doesn't come in a systemic version? Would you still suggest I try it through the aspirator? If not, what should I try first?
Since I probably won't be able to respond to your final response, I just want to thank you for dedicating your time to the health care industry. I hold physicians in the highest esteem and wish you all the best in life.
Thank you again!
XXXXX
My final question.
I tried the ceftrioxime in a nasal aspirator during pregnancy a year and a half ago and it didn't eradicate this bacteria. The nurse at the ENT office said it doesn't come in a systemic version? Would you still suggest I try it through the aspirator? If not, what should I try first?
Since I probably won't be able to respond to your final response, I just want to thank you for dedicating your time to the health care industry. I hold physicians in the highest esteem and wish you all the best in life.
Thank you again!
XXXXX
Brief Answer:
Please, there is ceftriaxone injectable all around. Ask again, please!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am greatly humbled by this.
Ceftriaxone is largely abundant in the systemic form. I will suggest that you simply go ahead and ask again as this is certainly an error from whoever gave you that information. Double check and let me know what your thoughts are.
I wish you well.
Please, there is ceftriaxone injectable all around. Ask again, please!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am greatly humbled by this.
Ceftriaxone is largely abundant in the systemic form. I will suggest that you simply go ahead and ask again as this is certainly an error from whoever gave you that information. Double check and let me know what your thoughts are.
I wish you well.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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