§ Guidelines · ENT · Family Medicine
Re-evaluating the Clinical Guidelines for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
A Clinical Note
Reading · 4 min
The default management path for chronic rhinosinusitis has leaned on antibiotic courses and corticosteroid sprays. Neither addresses the underlying immune ecology of the nasal cavity.
The guideline's recommendation of antibiotics is puzzling since the leading causes of colds and flu are viral, not bacterial. Using antibiotics for a viral infection is not only ineffective but also contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
Additionally, the guideline's recommendation on corticosteroids is noteworthy. While they may offer temporary congestion relief, their effects are short-lived. More concerning is the fact that corticosteroids act as immunosuppressants, potentially weakening the nasal immune defenses over time.