Defining Sinus Infection In Children

Childhood can be a time filled with fun and the miracle of learning and discovering the world around all of us. It is also a time of sickness and accidents, and nothing frightens a parent more than when their child has a cold. A cold can be the starting place for so many different illnesses, especially when you are a child. From pneumonia to bronchitis, the slightest sniffle can invoke panic in a parent. A little education can help to ease some of that unease, and today we will focus on the most common childhood illness that often gets mistaken for the common cold: sinusitis, or a sinus infection.

Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinusitis can be difficult to deal with in an adult, but sinus infections in children can be quite confusing, especially in younger children. A lot of times, their symptoms will be nearly identical to that of the common cold, and the only telling factor that what you are really dealing with will not appear until nearly the third day of their illness. On the third day, when most colds have run that gamut and are ending, if your child develops a fever, this is a sign that they may have a more serious condition, like sinusitis, pneumonia or bronchitis. If this happens, it is time for a visit to the doctor as soon as you can.

In older children, they will, at first, show only signs that they have a cold. If those symptoms persist for a week, it may be a case of sinusitis or something worse. The symptoms that will tell you that it is definitely sinusitis are a dry cough during the day that will not go away, dental pain, ear pain, and tenderness in the face, especially in the sinus area. All of these symptoms indicate that their sinuses are swollen and inflamed, and may also lead to occasional nausea, especially after eating or drinking. Take them to their doctor as soon as you can for treatment.

Common Sinusitis Treatments

Once you have taken your child to their pediatrician, he will probably do some tests to confirm that it is indeed sinusitis that they are suffering from. Allergy symptoms can also mimic the symptoms of sinusitis, as can asthma, so your pediatrician may do some tests to eliminate these possibilities as well.

The type of infection will also determine the treatment for your child's condition. If it is determined to be bacterial in nature, then your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics to be taken to alleviate the symptoms. Viral sinusitis is normally treated with nasal decongestants, as well as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the pain associated with a sinus infection. Antihistamines will only be administered if your child's condition is thought to be an allergy of some kind. Rest, fluids and the use of a humidifier in the home will also lend to your child's recovery.