It's true that colds sometimes are followed by sinus infections, which ARE caused by bacteria. But it's difficult to diagnose true sinus infections in children, Dr. Shely said. Children don't always have sinus pain, and X-rays aren't helpful or recommended. Swabbing the nose and trying to see which bacteria grow won't help. There are always many bacteria in nasal passages, and it would be impossible to know which, if any, is causing the illness, she added.
Many parents believe that a green or yellow drainage from the nose is a sign of a sinus infection.
In fact, physicians are carefully considering before prescribing antibiotics these days. Antibiotics can help reduce the child's discomfort when there is a bacterial infection. Sometimes, fluid simply builds up behind the eardrum, without other symptoms. This approach, however, requires good follow-up to make sure the condition doesn't worsen, she cautioned. The same condition in a child under 2 may require antibiotics as a precaution.