Sinus Infection in 6 Year Old

Updated on January 01, 2014
K.J. asks from Picayune, MS
14 answers

Ok this question is about my 6 year old daughter. Long story short she woke up Christmas night throwing up a couple of times. She had a low grade fever. Her 4 1/2 brother had 100.7 the same night also but didn't throw up. I had a doctor's appointment made for Thursday morning for my 4 month old son who was getting rechecked out due to having RSV a week earlier. So I got the other two checked out while I was there. Both(6 and 4 1/2) had sinus infections. She told me that why she was throwing up because of the mucus going down her throat or whatever and upsetting her stomach. She prescribe her some tablets to take to help ease her belly and for the vomiting. Today(Sunday) she didn't throw up but is complaining of her head hurting since thursday and half way eating but she is drinking drink. She weighted 51 pounds Thursday at the doctor's office and is now down to 45 pounds(today,Sunday). The thing I'm asking I guess is can a sinus infection caused that bad of headaches(even with medicine it doesn't seem to help) and her half way eating and losing weight that fast? I know she kinda sick still. She has no fever since Friday night. Im kinda worried about her. She had sinus infections before but never got this bad. Any advice? Thinking of calling her doctor tomorrow?

Updated: just wanted to let everyone know my scale was off 2-3 pounds. She got up this morning(Monday) started feeling like her self again. No more headaches, or vomiting.Playing with her siblings, laughing, etc. And eating!! :) I think those tablets was giving her a migraine. We stop those since sunday.thanks again.

And yes, she's on antibiotics 2x a day and taking Tylenol and motrin for the headaches/fever when she needs it. Thankfully she hasn't complain of her head hurting today. I think I panicked so fast.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I'd definitely call because that is (IMHO) a significant weight loss for a 6 year old and is likely a sign of some dehydration (water weight loss). To make her more comfortable, you can use a humidifier. If you don't have a humidifier, try running the shower on hot while she sits on the toilet.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

It has taken up to 6 days before my daughter has started to feel better after being prescribed an antibiotic for a sinus infection. For headaches however I give my daughter Childrens Motrin or Children's Tylenol. Those drugs are pain relievers and seem to help.

The weight loss seems extreme. Are you sure your scale does not have a different calibration from your doctor? My home scale makes me 5 lbs lighter than my doctor's scale.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Chattanooga on

I had the worst sinus infection of my life a few weeks ago. The pressure was intense, and the pain it brought was awful... Migraine strength headache (and I know true migraines...) along with bruised-feeling eyes, irritated throat, and a complete lack of appetite. I couldn't eat much, because the pain killed my appetite, and it was too hard to try to breathe and chew at he same time. It wouldn't surprise me for a six year old to be less able to cope. I have had sinus infections before as well, but this one absolutely floored me for a couple of weeks.

I'm not sure if neti pots are good for kids this age... But it provided AMAZING, immediate relief for me. I went from 5 days of only getting 20 minutes of sleep at a time to sleeping 16 hours straight. (And was completely better after 2 days.) If you can't use a neti pot, try irrigating her nasal passages with a saline solution. (JUST saline... Make sure you don't use a medicated nasal spray...) all you have to do is have her lay down with her head tilted back/sideways, then drip some saline in a nostril so it runs in. (Make sure to tell her not to inhale it!) then have her blow her nose, and do the other side.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Joplin on

my son is 8 but his doctor gave him a special medicated spray to allow the pressure and drainage to release,you can even buy saline sprays at the store for younger then her it helps so much sometimes the drainage gets clogged in the nasal passages and needs help. I would look into this.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Keep her fluids up.
Rapid weight loss is usually fluid related and I'd worry that she is becoming dehydrated.
Chicken soup/broth is warm and comforting.
Make up some jello and have her drink it while it's warm before it sets.
7-up, ginger ale can help settle icky feeling stomachs too.
There's always pedialyte popsicles.
A sinus infection can cause excruciating pain - behind the eyes, in the ears, and sometimes the tissue/pressure swells and can cause pain in the teeth too.
A heating pad on low on her head might help with the pain for a bit.
Hope she feels better soon!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D..

answers from Miami on

Wow... down that much weight in such a short amount of time. That would really worry me. Is she on antibiotics? She needs to be. However, they can certainly make her feel terrible (I feel terrible on antibiotics too) and sinus infections do hurt your face and head.

I'd take her back in and perhaps see a different doctor in the practice. Discuss your concerns (maybe not in front of your daughter.) Is she drinking a lot of water? That's important to help the medicine work...

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.A.

answers from St. Cloud on

I have had a head cold for a week now. I was taking Mucinex DM daily and did a sinus rinse. I stayed in bed all day yesterday and then used nose spray last night. I woke up feeling better today. The headaches were awful though. Felt like bricks laying on my head. I know it isn't gone yet but I have an apt on Friday with my ENT so I will get looked at then. The coughing causes stomach pains too. I always get that.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Place a warm wet wash cloth on her nose. It will help take some of the pressure off.

Yes, sinus problems make a person feel awful. Your head feels all stuffed up, you lose your sense of taste and just feel terrible.

I agree to push fluids. Maybe some simple crackers and toast .

Tiny bites of food is all she will consider at this point.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Yes Sinus Infections can cause bad headaches.
It is an infection. In the sinus cavity.
An infection.
And, little kids, do not know how, to spit out their mucous. And yes, it can cause vomiting because of the mucus quantity being swallowed and due to post nasal dripping and the amount of mucus.

Antibiotics, serves to, eradicate the infection.
It is not a headache pain reliever.

What is she eating and drinking?
Junk food or healthy food?

Sinus Infections or head colds, can also affect the rest of the body.
It is, an infection. And coupled with Fever, the whole body is working very hard at fighting it.
I had a head cold once. And then, it progressed. Into, a bronchial infection and almost Pneumonia. Why? Because- any mucus that oozes down the throat (ie: post nasal drip), can sometimes, go into the lungs. Then, the lungs gets infected. Via the mucus. Then at that point, I had to have antibiotics. To combat, the whole infection system.

You CAN take your daughter back to the Doctor, for a follow up. And just to make sure.
That is what I would do, AND tell the Doc about her weight loss.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from New York on

If she's on antibiotics and still has pain, give her some children's Tylenol or Motrin. It will help a lot.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I suffer from chronic sinus infections, and I can tell you that they can make you feel pretty horrible. Headaches are common as is sinus pressure. I usually have no appetite and lose weight.
My son has allergies and will get a sinus infection from time to time. Usually, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. Talk to your pediatrician about it. Also, you might want to talk to the ped about using OTC meds- like Afrin or other kind of spray. This can be used for about 3 days and can really help with the congestion and sinus pressure. Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Chicago on

The meds are not working. Call them back.She should be feeling reliefe by now. I think the infection is still going strong.

Yes, I could not eat with my severe sinus infection. Most of the time I have no fever but the infection effects my willing ness to eat because it hurts.

Humidifier needs to be on.. if you don't have one put a pot of water on and keep her near the kitchen.
Put her in a shower, or turn the hot water on in the sink and put a towl over her head let that steam get up in there.
Tylenol/Advil to help with the pain.

IF you are not feeling better with in 24 hrs on meds, they are not working. THat is what the doc always said to my mom and our doc told us.

Good luck, I hope she feels better fast.. Poor kiddo!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Isn't she taking meds? I'd be giving her half a dose of liquid Children's Sudafed. The fake Sudafed doesn't do anything for any of us so we buy the real stuff through a home style pharmacy. They all don't order their meds through a place that stocks it but it's worth a shot to ask.

Large chain pharmacy's do not carry it at all.

The Sudafed will make the mucus runnier so it goes all the way down and isn't sticky or gooey. It also helps the ears and eyes from getting the sinus goo coming out through them.

The goo in her head is causing issues so the best route, to me, is to make it possible for the goo to get out. Antibiotics only do so much. They fight pus, they don't make the pus go anywhere to get it out of the system. That's what the Sudafed does since it's a decongestant.

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Dehydration, low blood sugar, and vomiting individually or all together can cause headaches including migraines, as can needing sleep. It's good to hear that they're all feeling better.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions