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Sinusitis
The following symptoms may indicate a sinus infection in your child: A “cold” lasting more than 10 days, sometimes with a low fever thick yellow green nasal drainage or post nasal drip, sometimes leading to or exhibited as sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea and/or vomiting headache, fatigue. Young children have immature immune systems and are more prone to infections of the nose, sinus, and ears, especially in the first several years of life. These are most frequently caused by viral infections (colds), and they may be aggravated by allergies. However, when your child remains ill beyond the usual week to ten days, a serious sinus infection is likely. Reduce the risk of sinus infections for your child by reducing exposure to known environmental allergies and pollutants such as tobacco smoke, reducing his/her time at day care, and treating stomach acid reflux disease. How Will the Doctor Treat Sinusitis? Children with accute sinusitis respond very well to antibiotic therapy. Nasal decongestants or topical nasal sprays may also help for short-term relief of stuffiness. Nasal saline (salt water) drops or gentle spray can be helpful in thinning secretions and improving mucous membrane function. If your child has acute sinusitis, symptoms should improve within the first few days. Even if your child improves dramatically within the first week of treatment, it is important that you continue therapy until all the antibiotics have been taken. Your doctor may decide to treat your child with additional medicines if needed. If your child suffers from one or more symptoms of sinusitis for at least twelve weeks, he or she may have chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis or recurrent episodes of acute sinusitis numbering more than four to six per year, are indications that you should seek consultation with an ear, nose, and throat ( ENT ) specialist. The ENT may recommend medical or surgical treatment of the sinuses. Sinusitis in children is different than when adults have it. Children more often demonstrate a cough, bad breath, crankiness, low energy, and swelling around the eyes along with a thick yellow-green nasal or post-nasal drip. Once the diagnosis of sinusitis has been made, children are successfully treated with antibiotic therapy in most cases.
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