sinus infections?

The girls daycare provider told me that one infant and several kids in the toddler room have sinus infections. My girls both have nasty colds right now. How do you know if it is sinus infection and not just a run-of-the-mill cold? Also, are sinus infections contagious? I didn't think they were.

 

I was under the impression that sinus infections are not contagious because its the cold (virus) that you have that does not leave and manifests inside you as an infection... which is only treatable by antibiotic. Colds are still contagious as they are viral and usually airborne and are usually the precursor to a sinus infection or other infections. Does that make sense?

 

Most of the time, sinus infections are a result of colds that never quite go away. (I'm dealing with my own right now and my face feels like a lava lamp when I turn it)

So say kidlet has a cold. A week later the snot turns yellow/green and turns thick. That is a common sinus infection (aka sinusitis). The snot gets stuck in the sinuses because the openings to the sinuses swell when you're sick. The bacteria in the snot then start multiplying like crazy, causing the yellow/green color and the sinuses become infected. The sinuses aren't allowing the snot to leave, causing a bottleneck in your sinus cavity. At this point since it's no longer a cold but a bacteria that you're having the issues with--antibiotics work.

So the sinus infection itself isn't contagious, but the cold leading up to it is. And the way to tell is basically consistency/color of the snot and the amount of time that they've been sick. Of course, I would take the babies in to the pediatrician and see what they tell you for controlling the symptoms. My pediatrician had them take children's claritin when they have a cold because it helps dry up the sinuses.

 

Thats was really informative - thank you..

My little girl is always getting colds that become sinus infections so it must be something that makes one more prone to it than another.

 

Thank you, Becasquared. That was helpful. We're only on day 5 of this cold (even though it feels like an eternity), but I'll keep an eye on things. If they don't seem to be getting slightly better in a day or so, I'll take them in.

 

HERE is an article from "DrGreene" website for kids. I always find his stuff informative. I hope they feel better. Last year our colds lasted for about 2 weeks and this year they are getting shorter. Good news!!

 

QUOTE(Stinkpea @ Jan 21 2009, 09:54 AM) [snapback]1155656[/snapback]
Thats was really informative - thank you..

My little girl is always getting colds that become sinus infections so it must be something that makes one more prone to it than another.

I have always been prone to sinus infections and was recommeded surgery as an adult. Haven't done it yet (did get my tonsils out last year though) but it had something to do with the shape/size of my sinuses not allowing proper drainage.

 

Sorry your girls are sick. Runny noses are a pain for everyone. For us when it turns green and it's not moving that's when it is a problem. Clara tends to have a more productive cough and sneezes a lot to get the snot and mucus out. Grayson does not cough things up and can't kick a cold like her so he more often ends up on antibiotics.

I hope they get to feeling better soon.

 

DD has a sinus infection right now, like pp's said it started as a cold that never went away. After 2 weeks of nonstop congestion/runny nose I took her to the pedi, she confirmed the sinus infection (by looking in her throat and feeling her sinuses) and put her on antibiotics.

eta: In addition to the antibiotics we put a warm steam vaporizer in her room for naps/night and its really seemed to help her coughing. The pedi said we could give benadryl to thin the mucus but the vaporizer seems to be doing the trick.