Pediatric Sinusitis | Anniston ENT

Your child’s sinuses are not fully developed until late in the teen years. Although small, the maxillary (behind the cheek) and ethmoid (between the eyes) sinuses are present at birth. Unlike in adults, pediatric sinusitis is difficult to diagnose because symptoms of sinusitis can be caused by other problems, such as viral illness and allergy.

The following symptoms may indicate a sinus infection in you child:

a “cold” lasting more that 10-14 days, sometimes with a low-grade fever
thick yellow-green nasal drainage
post-nasal drip, sometimes leading to or exhibited as sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea and/or vomiting
headache, usually in children age six or older
irritability or fatigue
swelling around the eyes

Young children are more prone to infections of the nose, sinus, and ears, especially in the first several years of life. These are most frequently caused by viral infections (colds), and they may be aggravated by allergies.

However, if your child remains ill beyond the usual week to ten days, a sinus infection may be the cause.

You can reduce the risk of sinus infections for your child by reducing exposure to known environmental allergies and pollutants such as tobacco smoke, reducing his/her time at day care, and treating stomach acid reflux disease.