Sinus infections in children
Sinusitis or Sinus infections in children can be very painful and irritating for the child as well as the parents. Sinus is a type of cold which causes nasal inflammation which restrains the normal outflow of sinuses causing them to become inflamed. The common symptoms of sinus which persists for more than ten days are for example, when a child is suffering from having a running nose, postnasal drip, the child is coughing throughout the day which becomes severe during the night. It can be a sinus infection if your child is having over 102 degrees F fever for 3-4 days.
Sinus infections in children can also occur from dust particles, pollens, house mites and other irritants which fly in the air. These particles can enter into our sinus cavities and block the nasal passage thus averting the drainage of mucus. This non- drainage of mucus can give birth to harmless bacteria like Streptococcus, Pneumoniae, and Haemophilus Influenzae which can be found in out upper respiratory tract. These bacteria prove to be a threat for causing sinus infection when they start multiplying. Another chief factor for sinus infection is fungus infection which is caused from black mold or the Aspergillus fungus. They can be found easily in damp corners of our house.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that sinus x-ray is not required for children less than six years of age. They can be diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms for sinus infections in children. Children who are not having bacterial infection can be treated with a normal dose of amoxicillin given two times everyday. If the child is not responding well with the given dose of amoxicillin then the doctors will recommend doubling the dosage or might even suggest a high dose of amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin ES). Other options can include cefdinir (Omnicef), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cefpodoxime (Vantin), or ceftriaxone (Rocephin) only if the child is vomiting. Clarithromycin (Biaxin), azithromycin (Zithromax) or clindamycin (Cleocin) are to be given if the patient is allergic to penicillin. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) and erythromycin-sulfisoxazole (Pediazole) can be given if the child fails to improve with amoxicillin. Lastly intravenous cefotaxime or ceftriaxone is advised if the child does not show any major improvement with any two antibiotics.
In usual cases with the above mentioned medications the sinus infections in children should start showing signs of improvement after three days. Within seven days of starting the medicines the children will be relieved from the symptoms of sinusitis therefore the doctors suggests to continue the antibiotics at least till ten days. But if the patient is suffering from a persistent sinus infection then he/she might need to continue the antibiotics till the patient is completely free from the sinus infection.
Sometimes Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infection can also be confused with sinus infections in children since both the diseases have common symptoms of running nose, fever, cough and headache. If the child has a prolonged case of running nose with green or yellow mucus with the other symptoms then only they will be diagnosed for sinus infection depending on the severity of the infection.
