How to detect and treat sinusitis in children

The diagnosis of pediatric sinusitis has many similar symptoms found in adult cases of sinusitis. However, there are a few distinctive features that are important to recognize that differentiate sinusitis in children from adults. A child's sinuses are not fully developed until age 20 yet a myriad of sinus infection symptoms can still develop in children as well. Children and infants have smaller facial structures yet children have at birth the: maxillary sinus (behind the cheek), ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses. Sinusitis is difficult to diagnose in children because respiratory infections are more frequent in children and their symptoms can be more subtle. Unlike a cold or an allergy, bacterial sinusitis requires a physician's diagnosis and treatment with an antibiotic to prevent future complications. Pediatric sinusitis is often characterized by irritability, earache, cough, halitosis and nasal odors in children. Sinusitis in adults has headache as a signature symptom especially when coupled with postnasal drip.

Child's Symptoms

The following symptoms are indicative of a sinus infection in children:

• A "cold" lasting more than 10 to 14 days, possibly accompanied by low-grade fever
• Thick yellow-green nasal drainage
• Earache
• Nasal odor and/or bad breath
• Post-nasal drip, sometimes leading to nausea and/or vomiting
• Cough and congestion
• Sore throat
• Headache, usually not before age 6
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Swelling around the eyes