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SINUS
INFECTION
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DEFINITION
A sinus
infection is a bacterial infection of one of the seven sinuses that
normally drain into the nose. Sinus
congestion can occur without an infection if one of the sinus openings
become blocked from a cold or hay fever.
As bacteria multiply within the sinuses, pain and pressure occur
above the eyebrow, behind the eye, or over the cheekbone.
Other symptoms include a yellow nasal discharge, postnasal drip,
fever and bad breath. Until
recent years, we didn't recognize that a chronic cough can be caused by a
sinus infection. Swallowing
sinus secretions is normal and harmless but may lead to some nausea.
The following treatment should reduce pain and fever within 48 hours.
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HOME
TREATMENT
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Antibiotics:
Your child's antibiotic is __________________.
Your child's dose is ___________
given________ times per day by mouth during waking hours for ______
days. This medicine will kill
bacteria that are causing the sinus infection.
Try not to forget any of the doses.
If your child goes to school or to a baby-sitter, arrange for
someone to give the afternoon
dose. If the medicine is a
liquid, use a measuring spoon so you give the right amount. Also, an antibiotic should not be saved from one illness to
the next because it loses strength. Even
though your child will feel better in a few days, give all the medicine to
prevent the infection from flaring up.
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Decongestant
Nose Drops or Spray:
To drain the
sinuses, use a generic long-acting vasoconstrictor nose drop or spray, which is nonprescription.
The usual dose for adolescents is 2 drops or sprays per nostril
twice daily. For younger
children use 1 drop or spray each day.
Use the medicine routinely for the first 2 days of treatment.
If you use it longer than two days you may have rebound swelling.
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Oral
Antihistamines:
If your
child also has hay fever, give him or her allergy medicine.
Otherwise, avoid antihistamines because they can slow down the
movement of secretions out of the sinuses.
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Pain
Relief Medications:
Acetaminophen
or Ibuprofen can be given for a few days for sinus pain or any fever over
102° F(39° C).
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Warm compresses
over sinus areas 2 to 3 times a day bring blood and white cells to the
area and along with antibiotics helps to clear up the infection.
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Contagiousness
and Isolation.
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Sinus
infections are not contagious. Your
child can return to school or day care when he or she is feeling better
and the fever is gone.
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CALL
OUR OFFICE
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Immediately
if:
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Redness or
swelling occurs on the cheek, eyelid or forehead.
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Within
24 Hours:
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The fever or pain
is not gone after your child
has taken the antibiotic for 48 hours.
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The yellow nasal
discharge is not gone after 5 days.
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You feel
your child is getting worse.
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