What You Need to Know
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses.
Other causes include:
· Allergies
· Exposure to smoke, dust or other irritants in the home, school or workplace
· Bacterial infection
Do antibiotics help sinusitis?
Antibiotics only help sinusitis when it is caused by a bacterial infection. Because
sinusitis is usually caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help most cases of sinusitis.
Taking antibiotics won’t prevent a stuffy nose from turning into a bacterial sinus
infection. In fact, taking unnecessary antibiotics puts your family at risk for developing
resistant infections later.
What about yellow or green mucus?
The color of mucus does not reliably predict whether or not you have a bacterial sinus
infection or need antibiotics. It’s normal for mucus to change color from clear to yellow,
green or white when your body’s immune system is fighting a virus.
Sinus Treatment Guide for Parents
Antibiotics are rarely needed unless your child has one or more of the following:
· Pain or pressure on one side of the face
· Swelling around the eye area
· Postnasal drip (may cause dry cough)
· Symptoms have lasted 10 or more days
Medical attention is recommended for:
· High fever (104ºF or above)
· Fever that lasts more than 24 hours
· Symptoms that are severe or have lasted more than ten days.
Otherwise:
If your child does not have a fever, and has only mild symptoms that have lasted less
than 10 days, treat as a virus:
· Get lots of rest
· Avoid cigarette smoke
· Encourage sinus drainage by:
. Offering plenty of fluids
. Breathing steam from a shower or bath
. Using non-medicated saline nose drops or spray several times a day
. Elevating the head of the child’s bed
. Using warm facial packs for three to four times a day for 5 -10 minutes
Acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic equivalent) may be taken for fever or pain.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or generic equivalent) may be given if your child is over 6
months. Ibuprofen should not be given if the child is dehydrated or vomiting
continuously. Over-the-counter decongestants should not be given to children under
the age of 3 years. Aspirin should never be used in children with fever due to the
risk of stomach upset, intestinal bleeding and Reye syndrome.
Adult Sinus Treatment Guide
Cough and runny nose by themselves are unlikely to be caused by a bacterial sinus
infection unless those symptoms have been present for more than 10 days. Antibiotics
are rarely required unless the following symptoms are present:
· Pain or pressure on one side of the face
· Swelling around the eye area
· Postnasal drip (may cause dry cough)
· Toothache in the upper jaw in the absence of dental problems
Medical attention is recommended for:
· Typical symptoms of bacterial infection (see above) that are severe or have
lasted more than ten days.
· Persistent fever
Otherwise…
If symptoms are mild or have lasted less than 10 days:
· Get lots of rest
· Avoid cigarette smoke
· Help your sinuses drain by:
. Drinking plenty of fluids (try to avoid caffeine and alcohol)
. Breathing steam from a shower or bath
. Using non-medicated saline nose drops or spray several times a day
. Elevating the head of your bed
. Using warm facial packs for three to four times a day for 5 -10 minutes
· Acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic equivalent) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or
generic equivalent) may be taken for fever or pain.
Over-the-counter decongestants like Sudafed or Benadryl may also be helpful.
