Fever. Headache. Cough. Sinus pressure. These can add up to one unhappy kid suffering from pediatric sinusitis. And the worry and lack of sleep can lead to a pretty cranky parent, too.
Treatment in the long term
Acute sinusitis following a cold can usually be treated in a child as easily as in an adult. A round of antibiotics will typically knock it out quickly, and get your kid back on the playground in short order. But the treatment of chronic sinusitis can be extremely frustrating for you, your child, and even your otolaryngologist. The medical management of chronic pediatric sinusitis involves not only treating the symptoms with an appropriate antibiotic, but also treating the outside factors contributing to the problem.
Sinusitis in children is generally preceded by a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URI). Children average between six and eight URIs a year, and some will have as many as 25. This leaves a lot of leeway for opportunistic bacteria to invade your child’s sinuses and cause sinusitis, and if your child already has asthma or allergies, this provides another avenue for infection. Children are also more susceptible to complications from sinusitis—including developing sinusitis or other bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics, and more mundane problems of missed school days and generally decreased quality of life.
The best way to manage pediatric sinusitis
Stop it before it starts by helping your child avoid URIs. Remind your child to:
- Wash hands frequently
- Cough into their elbow
- Use a tissue instead of their shirt
Children who attend day care are much more likely to get URTIs than children who don’t, so if your child is really struggling with infection, you may want to suspend daycare temporarily to break the cycle. You may also want to bring them to us for a complete medical assessment to avoid future complications. Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common symptoms of pediatric sinusitis include fever, headache, cough, and sinus pressure. These signs can make the child uncomfortable and may disrupt their normal activities and sleep patterns.
Acute sinusitis in children usually follows a cold and can be treated similarly to adults with a course of antibiotics. This treatment often resolves the infection quickly, helping the child recover and return to normal activities fast.
Chronic sinusitis is harder to treat because it involves not only managing the infection with antibiotics but also addressing underlying factors such as allergies, asthma, and other contributing conditions. It may require ongoing medical management and specialist assessment.
Children often experience multiple URIs each year, which can create opportunities for bacteria to infect the sinuses, leading to sinusitis. Children with asthma or allergies are even more susceptible to these infections and related complications.
Parents can help prevent sinusitis by encouraging good hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing, coughing into the elbow, and using tissues instead of shirts. Minimizing exposure to other children through daycare suspension may also be considered if infections are frequent.
Daycare environments expose children to many other kids, increasing the spread of viruses that cause upper respiratory infections. These repeated infections can lead to sinusitis, especially in children who are more susceptible due to allergies or asthma.
If a child experiences frequent or chronic sinus infections, it is advisable to seek a medical assessment by an otolaryngologist. A specialist can identify complications, resistant infections, and provide comprehensive treatment to improve quality of life.