One of the most important — and sometimes confusing — roles of a parent is the “early diagnosis” of your child’s illness. Is it a sprain, or something more serious? Should we head to the emergency department or can it wait for our doctor’s appointment? Parents frequently face these questions and search for answers, as they focus on keeping their children healthy.
Children and sinusitis
One condition that can be especially difficult for parents to discern in children is sinusitis (also known as a sinus infection), an inflammation of the sinuses that occurs with an infection from a virus, bacteria or fungus. The sinuses are the spaces behind the forehead, cheeks and eyes that are typically filled with air to allow mucus to drain. When the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus
builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily, sometimes leading to sinusitis.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, symptoms of sinusitis in children may include:
- A “cold” lasting more than 10 to 14 days, sometimes with a low-grade fever
- A thick yellow-green nasal drainage
- Post-nasal drip, sometimes leading to or exhibited as sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea and/or vomiting
- A headache, usually in children age six or older
- Irritability or fatigue
- Swelling around the eyes
Because pediatric sinusitis symptoms may appear to be other ailments, such as an allergy, it may be difficult for parents to know when to consult a physician. A key consideration is the length of the illness. If symptoms continue beyond ten days or so, the cause could be sinusitis.
In most children, sinusitis is treated with medication. However, in cases where repeated infections occur, your child’s physician may recommend surgery. For these patients, McLaren Macomb offers an outpatient procedure known as balloon sinuplasty, which uses a small, flexible balloon catheter to gently open the blocked maxillary sinuses.
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