Suggest Treatment For Sinus Infection And Post Nasal Drip

Posted on Sat, 10 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 Answered on

Tue, 27 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been diagnosed with a sinus infection and have been prescribed ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for 5 days, starting today. I noticed htere is a terrible smell associated with the discharge from my nose. Is this typical?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
the smell is related to the infection

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The smell would likely be related to the sinus infection itself and not the antibiotics.

Sinus infection can cause a foul smelling nasal discharge because the sinuse are connected to the nasal passages and may also be associated with a foul post nasal drip since the two are related.

As the infection responds to the medication the smell should resolve and any other symptoms should resolve as well.
In most cases, the use of antihistamines and decongestants along with antibiotics would help.

I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar