Sinusitis —It’s not just a cold…

Sinuses are air spaces in the bones of the face around the nose and they are usually moist. Babies have sinuses.

However, they are usually not well developed. These air spaces are in four sets located in the brain, forehead, behind the nasal passages and cheekbones and have a lining of a mucus layer and cells that have little hairs.

These hairs, known as cilia, trap and push out any germs, bacteria and pollutants, therefore providing a defence in the nostrils. When for a reason of sickness or infection, cilia do not trap the bacteria it causes an infection and swelling of the sinuses— and thus sinusitis.

Causes

Sinusitis is mostly caused by allergies or a cold. When your baby has either of this, the sinuses swell then mucus, bacteria or fungi are trapped in the swollen tissues to cause sinusitis. At times, allergic reactions such as those of the environment may present as sinusitis.

Symptoms

The following flu-like symptoms present when a child has sinusitis. Note that these general signs may also indicate pneumonia, an ear infection or bronchitis. Therefore it is important to consult a doctor if you notice either of these:

» A stuffy or runny nose that lasts up to two weeks without improvement
» Fever that lasts throughout a cold
» Congestion that lasts more than a week
» Ear pain
» For older kids there may be headaches, dental pain and an ache behind the eyes Swollen tissue around the front of the nose making the child to pronounce ‘N’s as ‘D’s and ‘M’s as ‘B’s for more than a week
» In chronic sinuses, there may be convulsions or visual problems

Treatment

Treatment of sinusitis depends on the cause. If caused by bacteria, the paediatrician may recommend the antibiotics syrup, a decongestant or antihistamines for your child to help reduce the symptoms.

If the infection has been caused by a virus, it will go away on its own. A pain killer may be given by the doctor to reduce the pain and discomfort.

Prevention

■ You can lower the risk of sinusitis by changing the surroundings for your sinusitis prone child.

■ Teach your children about good sanitation, such as, washing of hands after handling dirt.

■ Keep your child warm during the cold season.

■ Avoid allergens by ensuring your baby stays indoors; and avoiding people who have a cold.

■ Avoid air travel with your child because it congests the sinuses and may trigger infection.

END:PG29/07