Can Babies Get Sinus Infections

How Is Sinusitis Diagnosed In A Child

How Do I Treat Sinus Infections in Babies?

The healthcare provider will ask about your childs symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. Your child may also have tests, such as:

Sinus X-rays. An X-ray exam of the sinuses may help with the diagnosis.
CT scan of the sinuses. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body. They are more detailed than X-rays.
Cultures from the sinuses. A swab of discharge from the nose may be taken. The sample is checked for bacteria or other germs.

Breathe In Essential Oils For Calming Relief

Although the BMJ review says there is no scientific confirmation that inhaling oils improves sinus inflammation, many children find oil of eucalyptus does help them breathe, Rolnick says.

You never want to put essential oils directly on the skin. Instead, place a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a ball of cotton and hold it a few inches from your childs nose.

How Can A Cold Or Allergy Become Sinusitis

With a little anatomy lesson, you’ll see how easy it is for a sinus infection to begin.

The sinuses are air-filled cavities above and below your eyes and on either side of your nose. When you have a cold or allergies, the normally thin lining of the sinuses swells.

Sometimes the swelling blocks the passages between the sinuses and the nose, and that’s when problems arise. Mucus gets trapped in the sinuses, and the warm, wet, dark environment is the perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria.

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How Do You Diagnose Chronic Sinusitis

The presence of two or more of the listed symptoms for at least three months raises the suspicion of a chronic sinus infection.

In such cases, we will evaluate you to confirm the diagnosis. This involves applying pressure on your sinuses to elicit tenderness. If the tenderness is positive, your sinuses are likely to be inflamed. We will then take a peek into your nose using a small flexible scope, and check for nasal polyps, pus-filled discharge, and deviated septum.

We may also recommend nasal endoscopy. This is an office procedure that enables us to view the interior of your nose and sinus passages. Its done with an instrument called an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and a light. We will pass this scope into your nose and sinuses to look inside. Nasal endoscopy allows us to detect any swelling and polyps, as well as collect discharge from the infected area. This can help spot the cause of your infection and whats the best way to treat it.

If need be, we may also perform imaging in the form of a computed tomography to look for further problems.

Allergy skin tests look for allergic causes and to check for problems within your immune system may also be done.

What Is Sinusitis In Children

Sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses. These infections often happen after a cold or with allergies. There are 3 types of sinusitis:

Short-term . Symptoms of this type of infection last less than 12 weeks and get better with the correct treatment.
Long-term . These symptoms last longer than 12 weeks.
Recurrent. This means the infection comes back again and again. It means 3 or more episodes of acute sinusitis in a year.

The sinuses are air-filled spaces near the nose. They are lined with mucous membranes. There are 4 different sinuses:

Ethmoid sinus. Located around the bridge of the nose. This sinus is present at birth, and continues to grow.
Maxillary sinus. Located around the cheeks. This sinus is also present at birth, and continues to grow.
Frontal sinus. Located in the area of the forehead. This sinus does not develop until around age 7.
Sphenoid sinus. Located deep behind the nose. This sinus does not develop until the teen years.

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Ear Infections In Babies And Toddlers

Ear infections in babies and toddlers are extremely common. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, five out of six children will experience an ear infection before their third birthday.

Many parents are concerned that an ear infection will affect their childs hearing irreversiblyor that an ear infection will go undetected and untreated, says David Tunkel, M.D., Johns Hopkins Medicine pediatric otolaryngologist . The good news is that most ear infections go away on their own, and those that dont are typically easy to treat.

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After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

When to Call the Doctor after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

After surgery, monitor your child for symptoms that may indicate a need for you to contact your childs physician:

Signs of dehydration, include dry mouth, sunken look around eyes, decreased amount of urine, no tears when crying and skin that forms and holds the shape of a tent when pinched
Bright red bleeding from the nose or mouth
Double or impaired vision
A persistent leak of clear fluid from the nose
Wheezing or a cough that sounds croupy
If your childs temperature rises greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit orally

Follow-Up after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

A visit with your childs physician will be scheduled for one to two weeks after surgery to make sure that the nose is healing properly. Consult your childs physician if you have any questions.

Dr. Rohn, Dr. Gamble and Dr. Kubala are ear, nose, throat, and sinus surgeons in Plano and Dallas. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our office, please call our Plano office at 972-378-0633 or Dallas office at 214-239-1641.

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Care Advice For Sinus Congestion

What You Should Know About Sinus Congestion:

Sinus congestion is a normal part of a cold.

Nasal discharge normally changes color during different stages of a cold. It starts as clear, then cloudy, turns yellow-green tinged, then dries up.

Yellow or green-tinged discharge. This is more common with sleep, antihistamines or low humidity.

Usually, nasal washes can prevent a bacterial sinus infection.

Antibiotics are not helpful for the sinus congestion that occurs with colds.

Here is some care advice that should help.

Nasal Saline to Open a Blocked Nose:

Use saline nose spray . This helps to loosen up the dried mucus. If you don’t have saline, you can use a few drops of water. Use bottled water, distilled water or boiled tap water. Teens can just splash a little water in the nose and then blow.

Step 1: Put 3 drops in each nostril.

Step 2: Blow each nostril out while closing off the other nostril. Then, do the other side.

Step 3: Repeat nose drops and blowing until the discharge is clear.

How often: Do saline rinses when your child can’t breathe through the nose.

Saline nose drops or spray can be bought in any drugstore. No prescription is needed.

Reason for nose drops: Suction or blowing alone can’t remove dried or sticky mucus.

Other option: use a warm shower to loosen mucus. Breathe in the moist air, then blow each nostril.

Fluids – Offer More:

Sinus pain lasts more than 24 hours after starting treatment

Sinus congestion lasts more than 2 weeks

Fever lasts more than 3 days

Treatment For Sinusitis From A Gp

Cold or sinus infection? Local pediatrician goes over the symptoms between the two

If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:

steroid nasal sprays or drops â to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
antihistamines â if an allergy is causing your symptoms
antibiotics â if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and you’re very unwell or at risk of complications

You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.

A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if, for example, you:

still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
keep getting sinusitis
only have symptoms on 1 side of your face

They may also recommend surgery in some cases.

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Why Choose Childrens Colorado For Your Childs Sinusitis

The Sinusitis Clinic at Childrens Colorado has been operating for over 20 years. It is staffed by a pediatric otolaryngologist, an infectious diseases specialist and an allergist/immunologist. This group of specialists has an interest in this disease and expertise in this field.

The Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children website provides information on how to tell the difference between colds and sinus infections.

Schedule An Appointment With Our Pediatric Ent Specialists In Birmingham

Is your child suffering from the symptoms of chronic sinusitis? Our expert team of physicians can help diagnose and provide customized treatment plans for your child. Through our teams use of the Childrens of Alabama Hospital and the use of an outpatient center near the central Birmingham hospital, patients are given the top of the line, easy-to-access medical care for their needs. To learn more about sinusitis or to schedule an appointment, contact our Birmingham office today.

For your convenience, please fill out the form below to schedule an appointment.

A member of our team will contact you to confirm your desired day and time or offer an alternative day and time that accommodates your schedule.

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What Can I Do To Prevent Sinusitis In The Future

Since sinusitis is often a secondary infection, you may be able to prevent it by treating your child’s colds or allergies differently.

Keep your home moist when your child has a cold. Moisture helps keep the sinus linings and secretions thin. A humidifier can help â just be sure to clean it regularly to prevent mold growth.
Keep your child well hydrated, since drinking adequate liquids has the same benefit.
Speak to your doctor, if you suspect that your child has allergies. She may be able to recommend treatment options, both environmental and pharmaceutical. Long-term maintenance of allergies can go a long way toward preventing future sinus infections.
Keep your home clear of known allergens, such as cigarette smoke, pet dander, and dust, since all of these can irritate the nasal passages and contribute to sinusitis. See our allergies article for tips on how to keep your home allergen-free.

If your child ends up with sinusitis, you can find comfort in the fact that it’s a common condition â an estimated 37 million people a year get sinus infections â and there are plenty of treatment and prevention options.

Sweating Can Actually Fight Off Infection And Illness

May 04, 2013 · Antibiotic in Sweat Found to Fend off Bacteria. According to researchers from across Europe, a protein found on human skin and activated when we sweat is able to kill harmful microbes and even fight those that are resistant to traditional antibiotics. Known as Dermcidin, the protein becomes active when it encounters slightly acidic and salty

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Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Sinus pain lasts more than 24 hours, after using nasal washes
Thick yellow or green pus draining from nose and not improved by nasal washes. Exception: yellow or green tinged secretions are normal.
Sinus congestion and fullness lasts more than 14 days
Nasal discharge lasts more than 2 weeks
You have other questions or concerns

Check If You Have Sinusitis

Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
a reduced sense of smell
green or yellow mucus from your nose
a sinus headache

Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth.

The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.

Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.

This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.

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What Are The Stages Of A Sinus Infection

Types

Acute sinusitis usually starts with cold-like symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2 to 4 weeks.
Subacute sinusitus usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
Chronic sinusitus symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.

What Are The Causes Of Sinusitis

Ask Dr. Mike: What is a sinus infection and how do I treat it?

The sinuses are lined with membranes that produce mucus. When someone has a cold or allergies, the nasal passages as well as the sinus tissues become swollen and make more mucus. As a result, mucus that normally flows smoothly can get blocked and become trapped in the sinuses. It becomes a breeding ground where bacteria, viruses, and fungi can thrive, resulting in sinusitis.

What Causes Sinus Infections And Are They Contagious

The most common cause I see for a sinus infection is from a viral infection. Other common causes include bacterial infections and allergies Dr. Varghese explains.

A virus, bacteria, or fungus can cause a sinus infection. Generally, acute sinus infections stem from viral colds, while chronic sinusitis typically results from a bacterial infection, nasal growths, or allergies. Sinus infections can develop from many different causes. The cause of a sinus infection can be contagious, depending on what it is.

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What Is A Fungus

A fungus is a living organism. It cant make its own food, so it takes its nutrients from decomposing matter in the soil, water or plants where it lives. Fungi live in the air, on surfaces, and on humans and other animals.

Scientists classify fungi in groups. They include mold, yeasts and mildew. Some fungi are big enough to see , and some are so small you can only see them with a microscope.

There are more than 100,000 species of fungi. They live all around us, and most arent dangerous. But some fungi can invade the body and multiply, leading to serious health problems. Different types of fungi cause infections in many parts of the body. Some examples are yeast infections, thrush and toenail fungal infections.

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Antibiotics And Sinus Infections

When a sinus infection hits, it seems worse than what you remembered from the last time you had one. This may give you the idea that you need antibiotics, but most clear up without them. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses and arenât recommended within the first week of developing a cold. About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.

Consider these other forms of treatments instead of antibiotics:

These medications are available for over-the-counter purchase. Be careful to only take these medications for a few days at most, as they can cause the return of more severe congestions.
Over-the-counter pain relievers Aspirins, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve temporary pain.
Saline nasal spray This is used to spray into your nose several times a day to rinse your nasal passages. It can help to prevent and treat inflammation.

Antibiotics only will be needed if the infection is severe, recurrent or persistent.

The likelihood of bacterial infection increases when:

Symptoms last seven days or more, particularly when symptoms initially improve and then worsen.
Mucus is thick and yellow or green in color.
There is facial or sinus tenderness, particularly if itâs worse on one side of the face.
Pain is present in the upper teeth and is worse on one side of the face.

If the infection becomes severe, recurrent or persistent, contact your provider.

Isnt Loss Of Smell Or Taste An Early Symptom Of Covid

There are still studies underway but so far experiencing a loss of smell and/or taste is a potential indication of having COVID-19 as a recent study shows . It can occur suddenly and with varying timelines for when your senses will return back to normal. Its also not uncommon for upper respiratory infections such as the common cold or flu to affect our senses of taste and smell.

How Might The Doctor Treat Chronic Sinusitis

If your child has had several acute sinus infections in the past several years or has long-standing chronic sinusitis which does not seem to go away completely with antibiotics, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment of the sinuses using FUNCTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY . Other procedures such as SINUS CULTURE or ADENOIDECTOMY may also be recommended.

How Will The Doctor Treat Acute Sinusitis

As the first line of treatment, your doctor will probably give your child an antibiotic for several weeks to clear the sinus infection. Nasal decongestants or nasal sprays may also be prescribed. If your child has acute sinusitis, symptoms should improve within the first few days. After the first week of treatment, your child will often seem much better however, you should continue the antibiotic therapy as described by your doctor for the full course of therapy. Otherwise, the infection may return.

If your child has sinusitis that seems to be linked to an allergic condition, your doctor may decide to involve an allergy specialist so that the underlying allergy can be treated.

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Childhood Ear Infections Explained

Ear infections happen when there is inflammation usually from trapped bacteriain the middle ear, the part of the ear connects to the back of the nose and throat. The most common type of ear infection is otitis media, which results when fluid builds up behind the eardrum and parts of the middle ear become infected and swollen.

If your child has a sore throat, cold, or an upper respiratory infection, bacteria can spread to the middle ear through the eustachian tubes . In response to the infection, fluid builds up behind the eardrum.

Children are more likely to suffer from ear infections than adults for two reasons:

Their immune systems are underdeveloped and less equipped to fight off infections.
Their eustachian tubes are smaller and more horizontal, which makes it more difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear.

“In some cases, fluid remains trapped in the middle ear for a long time, or returns repeatedly, even when there’s no infection,” Tunkel explains.