The provider to choose for at-home care
DispatchHealth stands apart from other medical providers because we bring care straight to your front door. Rather than having to get your child dressed and out the door when he or she already isn’t feeling well, you can pop in a movie and hang out on the couch until we arrive at your home. Our mobile care teams include a medical technician and either a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner (an emergency room physician is always available by phone), and we bring along almost all of the tools and technologies that would typically be found in an ER.
A service this convenient must be pretty expensive, right? Actually, our services usually end up costing about the same as a traditional urgent care visit—approximately $5 to $50 after insurance. We’re in-network with most insurances, and because we know that you’ve already got enough on your plate taking care of a sick child, we’ll even handle billing your insurance company, calling in any prescriptions, and updating your pediatrician.
Sinus infection symptoms & when to seek treatment
Sinus infections are miserable, and for children who have never experienced one before, they can be downright unbearable. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Nasal congestion
- Thick green or yellow nasal discharge
- Postnasal drip
- Fever
- Headache
- Coughing
- Loss of smell
While many sinus infections will resolve on their own, in certain cases, professional treatment is necessary. You should consult with a trained medical provider if your child’s symptoms have lasted longer than a week or if he or she is experiencing a high fever.
What causes sinus infections in children?
Between tightly packed classrooms and the sharing of toys at daycare, it’s no wonder that kids often end up sick. Having a cold is bad enough to begin with, but did you know that it can actually lead to a sinus infection? It’s true—sinus infections often develop as a result of another illness such as allergies or the common cold. Both of these conditions can cause the sinuses to swell and lead to increased production of mucus. As nasal discharge begins building up in your child’s sinuses, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and can eventually result in a sinus infection.
Some other conditions that can lead to sinus infections in children include:
- Nose injuries or deformities
- A foreign object being stuck in the nose
- Tooth infections
- Cleft palate
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Immunodeficiency syndromes
How to prevent sinus infections in children
One of the best ways to prevent your child from developing a sinus infection is to help him or her avoid getting sick in the first place. Encourage them to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, avoid touching their face, and give sick classmates some personal space. As a parent, you can do your part by feeding them nutritious foods and ensuring they get exercise (like running around at the park or playing a sport). You can also sanitize the surfaces that your child regularly touches. And if your child has allergies, you may want to look into allergy shots or prescription medication.
Unfortunately, kids are kids, and sometimes they’ll get sick no matter how hard you try to keep them healthy. At the first signs of a cold or another illness, start taking steps to keep your child’s sinuses clear. Some nasal sprays are made specifically for kids, and you can also have your child breathe in steam from a shower or from a warm (but not hot) bowl of water.
If left untreated
Although rare, it’s possible for a sinus infection to develop into a brain infection or bone infection, so if you have any concerns, you should reach out to an experienced medical practitioner like the ones at DispatchHealth. Request a visit today by calling us, downloading our mobile app, or visiting our website.
* Please note: For life-threatening and time-sensitive injuries and illnesses, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. DispatchHealth shouldn’t be used in a life-threatening emergency and doesn’t replace a primary care provider.
