The Common Cold, Acute Sinusitis & Your Child

West Virginia Physicians
for Wise Use of Antibiotics


• Jeffrey Ashley, MD

Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences
Center, West Virginia University-
Charleston Division
• Patricia Lally, DO
The West Virginia School of
Osteopathic Medicine
The Common
• Kathryn Moffett, MD
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences
Center, West Virginia University-
Cold,
Morgantown Division
• Daniel J. Dickman, MD
Acute Sinusitis
West Virginia Academy of Family
Physicians
• Robert B. Walker, MD
& Your Child
Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine,
Marshall University
• Raheel R. Khan, MD
West Virginia Chapter American
Academy of Pediatrics
___________________________________________
West Virginia Department of Health &
Human Resources
Bureau For Public Health
Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program
304-558-5358

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Common Cold
Antibiotics: Wise Use,
Sinusitis
Not Overuse!!!
What causes the common cold?
… for a cold?
Colds, “the common cold,” are caused by viruses.

• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for slight

fever or headache
What causes sinusitis or acute sinusitis?

Sinuses are spaces within the bones of the face,
What can be done for acute sinusitis?
especially the cheeks and forehead, and they produce
Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for acute
mucus that helps filter the air you breathe. Sinusitis
sinusitis. Fol ow the instructions for taking the medicine.
occurs when the lining of the sinuses becomes irritated

and swollen, and mucus becomes trapped in the sinuses.
What else should I know?
Bacteria “can make themselves at home” in the trapped
mucus, causing an infection known as acute sinusitis.
Disease-causing bacteria can become resistant to
antibiotics when antibiotics are used improperly or

How do you tell the difference between a cold and
overused. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are harder to kil ,
acute sinusitis?
and pose serious health threats to your child & others.
Some illnesses caused by resistant bacteria must be
A cold usually starts with your child feeling tired,
treated in the hospital, and some resistant bacteria cannot
sneezing, coughing, a runny nose and maybe a slight
be treated at al .
fever. Your child may also experience muscle aches, a

scratchy or sore throat and a headache. Colds will go
Can I help stop resistant bacteria?
away on their own in about 7-10 days. Antibiotics WILL
NOT help your child feel better.
• Children have six to eight viral upper respiratory
infections each year.

When your child has acute sinusitis, he/she may

•Talk with your doctor… ask if your il ness is
have a cold that has lasted longer than 2 weeks, and:
caused by bacteria or viruses
• fever OR
• Let your doctor decide when antibiotics are
necessary and useful
• face pain and swelling around the eyes OR
• Take antibiotics as directed
• a cough that gets worse
• Throw away any unused antibiotics

What can be done for a cold?
• Prevent infections… wash hands with soap &
The best treatment for a cold is patience/time.
warm water to stop spread of bacteria &
viruses
• Offer plenty of fluids and popsicles
• Protect your children from cigarette smoke
• Give your child extra rest/sleep

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