Worried about your baby’s runny nose? Is your baby constantly sneezing or coughing? You might be thinking that it is just a common cold. Well you might want to think again. Sometimes the signs which we mistaken to be a simple cold may be a sign of another respiratory infection. This article will help you pin point the difference between a common cold from other upper respiratory infection, specifically a sinus infection. This will help you understand your baby’s real health condition, thus you will be able to seek proper medical advice immediately.

If you suspect that your baby is suffering from a common cold, check if the baby is manifesting the following symptoms:

1. Irritable, but still able to feed well and gains comfort from contact and cuddling.

2. The baby may have a clear to white nasal discharge and his nose may be stuffy or runny alternately.

3. The baby may also develop a low grade fever (under 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit)

4. The symptoms will only last for five to seven days generally

Common colds in infants can be prevented. The simplest way to prevent your baby from developing common colds is by minimizing the number of people who handles the baby. Make sure that you wash your hands properly before handling the baby. Increase the fluid intake of your baby. If fever develops, you can use acetaminophen at a dose recommended by a registered physician.

But if the symptoms that your baby is manifesting is different from what is stated above, then you should suspect for another upper respiratory tract problem. Although the sinuses of babies are not yet completely developed, it is still possible for infants to develop sinusitis. Sinusitis in babies may present the following symptoms:

1. A respiratory tract infection that lasts for more than 14 days can be a warning sign for a sinus problem. If your physician suspects a sinusitis, then you should seek help from a pediatric sub specialist, sinusitis doctors that is, so that the problem will be addressed immediately. This is because untreated sinusitis in infants may lead to serious complications.

2. A cloudy nasal discharge may appear initially, but it will soon progress to a thick and crusting discharge. Infants may be very irritable because of a stuffed nose

3. Infants may manifest a cough especially when lying down or sleeping. Cough associated with sinusitis is caused by a post nasal drip and irritation of the throat and voice box.

Before sinusitis starts to develop, it is important to address immediately any upper respiratory infection before the sinuses gets blocked and infected. By doing so, you will be able to save your baby from suffering the complications of sinusitis.