Parent Guide: Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
The sinuses are air filled spaces around the nose and eyes. Sinusitis occurs when fluid builds up in the sinuses. Both bacteria and viruses can cause sinusitis (viruses are up to 200 times more common). Sinusitis most often occurs after a cold but most colds do not lead to bacterial sinusitis. The symptoms of sinusitis are more severe and last longer than a cold.
Symptoms:
- Facial pain or pressure, headache, toothache, feeling tired, cough, fever.
- Blocked nose with yellow or green nasal discharge that lasts for more than 10 days.
Treatment:
- Give acetaminophen for pain and fever (see "Fever").
- Use salt water drops or spray to help relieve nasal discharge (see "Cold").
- Decongestants can relieve stuffiness but will not shorten the length of the illness.
- Use a cool mist humidifier.
See your doctor if. . .
- Fever develops again, 5 - 7 days after a cold begins.
- Cold symptoms worsen, 5 - 7 days after the cold begins.
- Yellow or green nasal discharge lasts longer than 10 days.
- Constant facial pain
Note: Cold symptoms that reoccur and are associated with a clear discharge, indicate a new cold, not sinusitis. A visit to the doctor is not needed - follow treatment for a cold.
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