Sinus Infection

Sinus Infection - Viral

Symptoms

Fullness or pressure on the face over a sinus. Pain is usually mild.
Sinus pressure occurs above the eyebrow, behind the eye, and under the cheekbone
Other common symptoms are a stuffy or blocked nose or nasal discharge.
Your child may also have a nasal drip down the back of the throat. This is called a postnasal drip.
Also, may have a sore throat and throat clearing from postnasal drip.

Diagnosis

A doctor can diagnose viral sinusitis by reviewing the details of your symptoms. Tests are not needed.

Cause

Caused by the many viruses that cause the common cold.
A cold infects the lining of the nose. It also infects the lining of all the sinuses.
The sinuses normally drain into the nose. If a sinus opening becomes blocked, it can cause pressure.
Viral sinusitis is much more common than bacterial sinusitis.

Color of Nasal Discharge with Colds

The nasal discharge changes color during different stages of a cold. This is normal.
It starts as a clear discharge and later becomes cloudy.
Sometimes it becomes yellow or green colored for a few days. This is still normal.
Colored discharge is common after sleep, with allergy medicines or with low humidity. (Reason: All of these events decrease the amount of normal nasal secretions.)

Prevention

Overview:

Fluids:

Nasal Saline to Open a Blocked Nose:

Use saline (salt water) nose drops or spray to loosen up the dried mucus. If you don't have saline, you can use a few drops of bottled water or clean tap water. Teens can just splash a little tap 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 nasal saline when your child can't breathe through the nose.
Saline nose drops or spray can be bought in any drugstore. No prescription is needed.
Saline nose drops can also be made at home. Use 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) of table salt. Stir the salt into 1 cup (8 ounces or 240 ml) of water. You must use bottled or boiled water for this purpose.
Reason for nose drops: 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.

Humidifier:

If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Reason: Dry air makes nasal mucus thicker.

Decongestant Nose Spray (No prescription needed):

Use this only if the sinus still seems blocked up after nasal washes. Also, only use for age 12 years or older. Use the long-acting type such as Afrin.
Dose: 1 spray on each side. Do this 2 times per day.
Always clean out the nose before using.
Use for 1 day. After that, use only for symptoms.
Don't use for more than 3 days. (Reason: Can cause rebound congestion).
Oral decongestants (such as Sudafed) are not advised for children.

Fever:

For fevers above 102° F (39° C), give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Note: Lower fevers are important for fighting infections.
For ALL fevers: Keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.

Pain Medicine:

To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen. Use as needed.

What to Expect:

With this advice, the viral sinus blockage goes away in 7 to 14 days.
The main risk is a sinus infection from bacteria. This can occur if bacteria multiply within a blocked sinus. This leads to a fever and increased pain.
A bacterial sinus infection will need antibiotics. Once on treatment, the symptoms will improve in a few days.

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