Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses.

Other causes include:

· Allergies

· Exposure to smoke, dust or other irritants in the home, school or workplace

· Bacterial infection

Antibiotics only help sinusitis when it is caused by a bacterial infection. Because

sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help most cases of sinusitis.

Taking antibiotics won’t prevent a stuffy nose from turning into a bacterial sinus

infection. In fact, taking unnecessary antibiotics puts your family at risk for developing

resistant infections later.

The color of mucus does not reliably predict whether or not you have a bacterial sinus

infection or need antibiotics. It’s normal for mucus to change color from clear to yellow,

green or white when your body’s immune system is fighting a virus.

Antibiotics are rarely needed unless your child has one or more of the following:

· Pain or pressure on one side of the face

· Swelling around the eye area

· Postnasal drip (may cause dry cough)

· Symptoms have lasted 10 or more days

· High fever (104ºF or above)

· Fever that lasts more than 24 hours

· Symptoms that are severe or have lasted more than ten days.

If your child does not have a fever, and has only mild symptoms that have lasted less

than 10 days, treat as a virus:

· Get lots of rest

· Avoid cigarette smoke

· Encourage sinus drainage by:

o Offering plenty of fluids

o Breathing steam from a shower or bath

o Using non-medicated saline nose drops or spray several times a day

o Elevating the head of the child’s bed

o Using warm facial packs for three to four times a day for 5 -10 minutes

Acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic equivalent) may be taken for fever or pain.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or generic equivalent) may be given if your child is over 6

months. Ibuprofen should not be given if the child is dehydrated or vomiting

continuously. Over-the-counter decongestants should not be given to children under

the age of 3 years. Aspirin should never be used in children with fever due to the

risk of stomach upset, intestinal bleeding and Reye syndrome.

Cough and runny nose by themselves are unlikely to be caused by a bacterial sinus

infection unless those symptoms have been present for more than 10 days. Antibiotics

are rarely required unless the following symptoms are present:

· Pain or pressure on one side of the face

· Swelling around the eye area

· Postnasal drip (may cause dry cough)

· Toothache in the upper jaw in the absence of dental problems

· Get lots of rest

· Avoid cigarette smoke

· Help your sinuses drain by:

o Drinking plenty of fluids (try to avoid caffeine and alcohol)

o Breathing steam from a shower or bath

o Using non-medicated saline nose drops or spray several times a day

o Elevating the head of your bed

o Using warm facial packs for three to four times a day for 5 -10 minutes

· Acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic equivalent) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or

generic equivalent) may be taken for fever or pain.

Over-the-counter decongestants like Sudafed or Benadryl may also be helpful