Sinus Infection in Children
April 3rd, 2011Sinus infection, also known as sinusitis is a common childhood problem. The child’s sinus becomes partially filled with pus and causes the discomfort in taking breath. Also the sinus lining becomes red and swollen. Sinus infection in children is similar to sinus infection in adults. Unfortunately most of the children are unable to tell their parents about the discomfort of illness. So it is very important for parents to have enough information about this disease.
Causes of Sinus infection
Common cold or viral influenza is the main source of sinus infection. The symptoms of common cold may be running nose, nasal congestion and cough. When the child is struck by viral influenza, the main symptoms could be headaches, joint pains, pains in the eye surrounding areas and high fever. (S)he could also have running nose, cough and congestion feeling.
The child’s immunity against disease and infections becomes weak due to the above mentioned illness and then the sinus infection could occur. In most of the cases, body itself heals up naturally. The antibodies in our body destroy the influenza and cold viruses. This is the way, the healing process begins in natural way.
If the structure of a child is weak, the immunity will be less. Also the healing process would be rather slow. As a result, even all the viruses in body are destroyed still the irritating mucosal lining of nasal passage and sinuses remain swollen.
Symptoms of Sinus infection
The symptoms of sinus infection in children are similar to the protracted cold. Its duration could be from 10-14 days. In children, its symptoms may be: discharge of clear or colored mucus, cough that remains persistent during the day time but worsen at night and while sleeping, sore throat, bad breathe and fever. Most of the children that have sinus infection have ear infection as well.
Home Treatment
Following home treatments could be used while your child is suffering from sinus infection.
- Allow your child to take steam bath at least for 15 minutes. It will help in losing the congestion problem.
- Another treatment is, increase the humidity level at your home. You can use vaporizer or humidifier to keep moisture in the room.
- Retains wetness in your child’s nasal while sleeping.
- Soothing vapors are more effective. For this purpose, add few drops of essential oil into the water.
Professional Treatment
Doctors should prescribe the following treatments for sinus infection in children.
- A round of antibiotics
- Nose drops to thin mucus
- Decongestants
