Each year in the United States, more than 30 million people suffer from sinus infections, and most end up getting treated with antibiotic medications.

In fact, a new study found that more than Eighty percent of patients received antibiotics for their acute sinus infections.

But the vast majority of sinus infections are caused by a virus, not bacteria, meaning that antibiotics would not be an effective treatment.

This means people are taking millions of antibiotic pills needlessly -- risking side effects and potentially weakening the overall effectiveness of antibiotics as resistance sets in.

Experts recommend trying decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and a steamy shower to help ease symptoms of an acute sinus infection.

Most minor infections will go away on their own.

If the symptoms don't disappear within a few days, talk to your doctor about whether you might be one of the few people who really needs an antibiotic prescription.

Otherwise, antibiotic treatment for a sinus infection is simply a waste of time and money.

Source: Published in the Archives of Otolaryngology - head & neck surgery by researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center