Pediatric Sinusitis

Signs of sinusitis in children may include:

• A cold or other respiratory illness that was improving and then gets worse
• Nasal discharge lasting more than 10 days without improvement
• A high fever accompanied by nasal discharge that lasts for 3 days or longer

See a doctor if your child has:

• A temperature that is higher than 100.4° F
• Symptoms that are not helped by over-the-counter medications
• Symptoms that last more than 10 days
• Had several cases of sinusitis within the past year

Sinusitis is common in children and most often goes away on its own. But, if your child has a temperature higher than 100.4° F or his symptoms have lasted more than 10 days, see a doctor.

Your pediatrician will ask you about risk factors your child may have, such as suffering from hay fever or being in daycare. She also will want to know if your child has had more than four sinus infections in the past year.

Physical exam

• Shining a light in the nose to look for inflammation
• Looking for polyps in the nose
• “Tapping” the sinuses in search of infection

Specialist

• CT scan 
• MRI

Other testing

• Allergy tests
• Blood tests
• Nasal culture
• Ciliary function test
• Tests for cystic fibrosis

Prevention

Preventing sinusitis is a lot like avoiding a cold. Take the following steps to avoid sinus infections.

• Don’t smoke around your child
• Encourage your child to wash his hands, especially after going to the bathroom or playing with other kids
• Make sure your child is up to date on her vaccinations
• Make sure your child avoids contact with sick kids
• Use a humidifier in your home

Medication

Most sinus infections in children occur because of colds. Because the cause is most often a virus, antibiotics aren't usually an appropriate treatment for sinusitis in kids. Sometimes, antibiotics can even make things worse. Side effects of antibiotics include nausea, diarrhea and rashes. Plus, the use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance. Remember, most sinusitis cases go away on their own and do not require medical attention.

Rest and the use of over-the-counter cold medications are often the best treatment for pediatric sinusitis. Always refer to the directions on cold medications, as some are not appropriate for younger children.

If your child has a fever higher than 100.4° F and symptoms last more than 10 days, or if he has chronic sinusitis, consult a physician. Your pediatrician can determine whether your child needs prescription medication or antibiotics.