First, let me say that I am very happy to have found this resource,
and thanks to the doctors here who spend their time investigating
sinusitis. I have a question that I hope Dr. Grossan or one of the
other doctors might be able to answer for me.

I get sinus infections about two to four times a year. They became
more frequent after I had my wisdom teeth removed about four years
ago, and my sinus was perforated (and became infected, cleared by two
rounds of antibiotics). I moved out of a moldy house a year ago, which
has improved my symptoms considerably, but hasn't eliminated them. I
use saline irrigation (I have a Grossan irrigator attachment for my
Water-Pik and a nasal wash bottle), guaifenesin and Rhinocort AQ as
needed, and I drink lots of water and hot tea.

I recently came down with a mild infection, and my doctor put me on
the five-day zithromax (Z-Pak). I have had adverse reactions to most
of the other antibiotics indicated for sinus infection, and zithromax
is one of the only antibiotics I can take. Several days after
completion, I woke up and expelled a small amount of slightly bloody
clear yellow mucus. I told my doctor and he prescribed another round
of Z-Pak. Since I completed that round, I've woken up several mornings
and expelled small amounts of the same stuff. My doctor has prescribed
me another two rounds of Z-Pak, and referred me to get a CT scan of my
sinuses.

My question is this. Given the potential risks of antibiotic therapy,
does it make sense for me to take two more rounds of antibiotic, when
my symptoms are very mild? Is there a better option? Also, how often
should I disinfect my irrigator or nasal wash bottle while I have an
active infection? Every time I use it?

Thanks,
Rob