Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Sinus Infection
DESCRIPTION (Diagnosis must be confirmed by a physician.)
A sinus infection is a bacterial infection of one of the
seven sinuses that normally drain into the nose. Sinus
congestion can occur without an infection if one of the
sinus openings becomes blocked from a cold or hay fever.
As bacteria multiply within a sinus, pain and pressure occur
above the eyebrow, behind the eye, or over the cheekbone.
Other symptoms can include a profuse yellow nasal discharge,
postnasal drip, a blocked nose, fever, and bad breath. A
sinus infection may cause a chronic cough. Swallowing sinus
secretions is normal and harmless but may lead to some
nausea. Most sinus infections can be diagnosed without
sinus x-rays.
HOME TREATMENT
The following treatment should reduce pain and fever within
48 hours or less.
- Antibiotics
Your child needs the antibiotic prescribed by your
physician. This medicine will kill bacteria that are
causing the sinus infection.
Try not to forget any of the doses. If your child goes
to school or to a baby sitter, arrange for someone to
give the afternoon dose. If the medicine is a liquid,
use a measuring spoon to make sure that you give the
right amount. Even though your child will feel better
in a few days, give the antibiotic until the bottle is
empty to prevent the infection from flaring up again.
Do not save the antibiotic for the next illness because
it loses its strength.
- Nasal washes
Use warm water or saline nosedrops followed by suction
or nose blowing to wash dried mucus or pus out of the
nose. Do nasal washes at least four times a day or
whenever your child can't breathe through the nose. If
the air in your home is dry, run a humidifier.
- Decongestant nosedrops or spray
To drain the sinuses, use a generic, long-acting
decongestant nosedrop or spray (such as oxymetazoline).
You don't need a prescription for the nosedrops or
spray.
The usual dose for adolescents is two drops or sprays
per nostril twice a day. For younger cHildren use one
drop or spray a day.
Use the medicine routinely for the first 2 or 3 days of
treatment. After that, don't use the spray or nosedrops
unless the sinus congestion or pain recurs. Stop the
drops or spray after 5 days to prevent rebound swelling.
- Pain-relief medicines
Your child can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a few
days for sinus pain or any fever over 102 degrees F
(39 degrees C).
- Oral antihistamines
If your child also has hay fever, he or she should take
allergy medicine (antihistamine). Otherwise avoid using
antihistamines because they can slow down the movement
of secretions out of the sinuses.
- Contagiousness
Sinus infections are not contagious. Your child can
return to school or day care when he or she is feeling
better and the fever is gone.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:
- Redness or swelling occurs on the cheek, eyelid, or
forehead.
- Your child starts acting very sick.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:
- The fever or pain is not gone 48 hours after your child
starts taking the antibiotic.
- You have other questions or concerns.
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