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CHILD’S DISORDERS: SINUSITIS
21 May 2009
by
admin
Filed under
General health
Cause
Sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses surrounding the nose. Sinuses are a system of open passages between the bones of the face, which become blocked with thick secretions if infected. Sinusitis occurs predominantly in older children and adults.
Clinical features
Your child may complain of a sensation of fullness or pressure over the area of an infected sinus. There may be pain, and swelling especially under the eyes may be present. The pain is often worse on one side of the face. A thick, green nasal discharge may be present, and your child may complain of nasal secretions running down the back of the throat (post-nasal drip), which may cause irritation and cough.
Investigations
If your child suffers from recurrent attacks of sinusitis your doctor may advise an X-ray of the sinuses in order to confirm the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.
If sinuses become infected antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment. Decongestant spray or drops may be helpful for short-term use only.
• if you suspect that your child has sinusitis;
• if your child has a fever, or is generally unwell with no apparent cause;
• if your child has a cough;
• if sinusitis recurs.
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