How long will this cold last?” you wonder as your child breathes through the mouth and coughs night and day. “If your child isn’t getting any better, it may be time to call the doctor,“ says Alan Kwaselow, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P., clinical assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics. “What began as a cold may have turned into a sinus infection, or sinusitis.”

The sinuses are hollow spaces in the bones around the eyes and nose. Pressure from sniffling or blowing the nose may push bacteria into these spaces. According to Dr. Kwaselow, “If the small openings that normally drain the sinuses are swollen or blocked by mucus, the trapped bacteria can cause a sinus infection.”

When to Call the Doctor

While colds and flu can be treated at home, sinusitis requires a visit to the doctor. Sinusitis is usually signaled by either:

• Nasal discharge, of any color, that lasts longer than 10 days and a cough that continues during the day as well as at night
• A severe cold accompanied by high fever and thick yellow nasal discharge, early morning swelling of the eyes, and headache behind or above the eyes.

Treatment and “TLC”

The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if your child has a sinus infection. Dr. Kwaselow advises parents to make sure their child finishes the full course of treatment, which often lasts for 14 to 21 days.

The following treatments will help make your child more comfortable and drain the sinuses:

• Fever reducers or other medications
• Steamy showers
• Humidifiers
• Saline nasal sprays