$Unique_ID{BRK01146}
$Pretitle{Respiratory System}
$Title{Is Sinusitis a Serious Ailment?}
$Subject{sinus infection child}
$Volume{H-6}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is Sinusitis a Serious Ailment?


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QUESTION:  Our new doctor has told us that my six year old son's symptoms may
be the result of sinusitis.  He is taking this very serious, and wants us to
bring our child back for frequent visits.  We don't know a lot about this
doctor, and wonder whether he is just making a big thing out of a minor
ailment.  May we have your opinion and some explanations?

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ANSWER:  There was a time when the diagnosis of childhood sinusitis might have
been passed over as something minor.  The symptoms of runny nose, a post nasal
drip, cough and fever are common enough and usually associated with childhood
colds and upper respiratory infections, generally of a benign nature.  However
when infections of the sinuses are not recognized early on and treated
properly, the complications are serious and may even be life threatening.  The
sinuses are spaces that are still developing in the skull as the child grows
older.  Four pairs, the frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid and maxillary are located
in the area of the forehead, nose and cheekbones and are lined with mucous
tissues.  They probably serve to help make our voices sound stronger, help
with our sense of smell, and reduce the weight of the skull.  When infection
strikes, the tissues become swollen and inflamed, produce additional
secretions, which must find their way out of the sinus cavity.  When they fail
to drain properly, the secretions can stagnate within the sinuses and form a
perfect culture medium in which bacteria can easily grow.  The clinical
pictured changes as the child appears ill, there is tenderness in the area of
the sinuses and the nasal discharge becomes thicker, and mixed with pus.
Treatment is necessary to maintain and promote drainage from the sinus
cavities, relieve the symptoms and fight the infection with the appropriate
antibiotics.  Treatment may continue for as long as two weeks in acute
sinusitis and three weeks in the chronic disease, with another three weeks
added on with a different antibiotic if the first course of treatment is
unsuccessful.  With all that in mind, the concern of your physician is
certainly correct, and the need for revisits should be evident.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
