Why do IV antibiotics help when oral antibiotics fail?
Oral antibiotics may be absorbed in the intestinal tract and may not adequately profuse diseased tissue and bony material in the sinuses. Therefore, some chronic infection patients may not experience resolution of their infection through oral antibiotics alone. Surgeries are effective in restoring drainage and natural aeration to the sinuses. Such procedures are not designed to cure deep set infections or bony substructure infections. Intravenous antibiotics allow for greater profusion of the sinus cavities and underlying structures. They are administered directly into the bloodstream where they are carried to the deepest recesses, surrounding tissue, and bone. In short, a greater amount and possibly stronger amount of medication can reach the infected areas. By eliminating all or a majority of infection causing bacteria, IV antibiotics are proving to be a more effective choice for treatment over surgery and continued oral antibiotics.
