Sinusitis in a child: signs of the disease

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 12:45

Very often viral and bacterial infections can provoke sinusitis in a child. The symptoms of the disease are the same as with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections: headache, nasal congestion, fever. Usually, the symptoms of viral and respiratory diseases disappear in 6-7 days. If, after this time, the child continues to be bothered by the above signs, headaches have begun and purulent discharge has appeared from the nose, then a cold has given a complication in the form of sinusitis. Sinusitis in children up to a year, and sometimes up to two or three years does not occur, they usually suffer from rhinitis. This is due to the physiological characteristics of development. The baby has not yet developed the maxillary sinuses and there is simply no place for pus.

How to identify sinusitis in a child?

The following symptoms should be looked out for:

• both sinuses stuffed up, child has difficulty breathing;
• pain in the nose that provokes a headache;
• raising the temperature to 39 ºС;
• child complains of weakness,lethargy, lack of appetite, sleep disturbance;
• there is swelling of the eyelids and cheeks.

If you notice these signs in your child, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Sinusitis in a child: signs of an acute form of the disease

Usually, acute sinusitis appears after an infectious disease, it can be acute rhinitis or adenoiditis.

Symptoms of acute sinusitis:

• protracted runny nose, in which nasal discharge becomes yellow-green and thick;
• the child has a severe headache, which is localized in the region of the bridge of the nose (in the evening, usually, the pain intensifies, painkillers do not help);
• nasal congestion, which does not help vasoconstrictor drugs;
• hearing loss and sharp pains in the ears that do not let go after warm compresses;
• toothache without any dental problems;
• temperature increase, especially in the evening;

• whims, bad mood, lack of appetite, decreased activity in the child;

  

• sleep snoring;
• photophobia and tearfulness;
• reduced taste sensations;
• puffiness in the nose, cheeks and eyes.

Sinusitis in a child: signs of a chronic formdiseases

If acute sinusitis is not treated, then chronic sinusitis may develop in a child. The symptoms in this case are the same as in the acute form, but may be less pronounced.

In young children, general symptoms are more pronounced than local ones. The elevated body temperature persists for a long time. The child loses body weight, he sleeps poorly and eats without appetite, cough appears, cervical lymph nodes increase. Chronic sinusogenic intoxication develops.

In older children, the signs of sinusitis are less pronounced, but persist for a longer time. The child suffers from prolonged nasal congestion, headaches, decreased sense of smell. With a purulent form of sinusitis, an unpleasant odor from the mouth and nose may occur.

Swelling of the brain membrane, meningitis in a purulent form and other dangerous complications can provoke sinusitis in a child. Signs of the disease must be detected in time and appropriate treatment initiated. Sinusitis is a rather dangerous and unpredictable disease. To avoid it, it is necessary to regularly harden and strengthen the child's body.