Signs And Symptoms Of Sinus Infections In Children
One of the infections experienced by a large portion of the population is sinusitis. This infection, which takes place when the sinuses become swollen, affects all age groups. Even your child may suffer from sinus infection.
As your child’s immune system isn’t yet fully developed, he’s prone to common illnesses like colds and flu. A cold is considered one of the leading triggers of sinusitis. Why? If your child has a cold and blockage of the sinus cavities takes place, mucus cannot drain properly. They get trapped in the sinus cavities. When bacteria, viruses or fungi grow in the area, infection takes place. Allergy likewise predisposes your kid to have sinus infection. Allergic reactions can cause swelling and blockage of the sinuses.
Physiological factors may also increase your child’s chances of suffering from sinusitis. Under this category are cases of deviated nasal septum, presence of nasal bone spurs, and the growth of nasal polyps. The latter, however, rarely occurs in children. There are also environmental risk factors like secondhand smoke and day care. Smoke may cause the cilia or tiny hairs, which help clear mucus, to slow down. Meanwhile, at the day care center, your child gets exposed to illnesses from other kids.
Kids have the same signs and symptoms as grown-ups when it comes to sinusitis. Yet, some occur more prominently in kids. These symptoms are fever for 3-4 days and persistent cough which worsens at night. Your child may likewise become restless and cranky. He may also experience pain or feeling of fullness on the facial area. As sinusitis has the same symptoms as that of common colds or upper respiratory infection, it is not easy to diagnose it. This is why bringing your kid to a specialist is highly recommended.
Treatment options for your child’s sinus infection include simple house remedies, medicines, and surgeries. Steam inhalation relieves nasal congestion by thinning the mucus. Encouraging your kid to drink plenty of water is also highly recommended. For medicines, antibiotics, decongestants or pain relievers may be given by the ENT doctor. Nasal drops are also usually given to kids to soften thick mucus. On the other hand, surgery is not typically performed in kids unless there is a deformity in the nose structure, a severe nose injury, or if there’s cystic fibrosis.
Sinus infections, just like tinnitus, can be very bothersome for kids. For accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, bring your child to an ENT specialist.