Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) are a common set of illnesses that affect the airway and structures above the lungs in children. Most respiratory infections in children are caused by viruses, and there are hundreds of viruses that can cause these infections.

The main symptoms are fever, runny nose or blocked nostrils, cough, lethargy, headaches, poor feeding or suckling for breastfeeding babies, irritability and sleepiness.

What to do if your baby has URTI.

1. Ensure your child is well hydrated. Hydration helps maintain body fluid balance and can aid in lowering the body temperature, which is important for the child’s comfort and overall well-being.
2. Administer paracetamol to your child to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with URTI in children such as fever and headaches.
3. Use saline nasal drops to keep the nasal passage moist and to clear nasal congestion, stuffy nose or blocked nostrils.
4. Ensure that your child is not exposed to any strong smells such as scented lotions, fabric softeners and perfumes. A strong smell increases the mucus in the nostrils worsening the condition.
5. Avoid administering cough syrups to children below 6 years. Cough and cold medications have potential side effects and risks, and their effectiveness in young children is often limited. Instead, use natural remedies like honey and lemon to provide comfort and relief from URTI symptoms.

When to seek medical advice.

The duration of URTI in children varies widely depending on several factors including age, virus causing the infection and individual immune response. Generally, most URTIs last up to 7- 10 days. However, severe URTIs can last for 3 weeks.

However, seek medical help if your child has the following symptoms: poor feeding, inactive, noisy breathing like wheezing or fast breathing (rapid/unusually quick rate of breathing) and a fever of 38 C and above.

How to increase immunity for your baby.

• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continue beyond.
• Avoid indoor-outdoor pollution as much as possible.
• Observe a balanced diet without forgetting your fruits and vegetables.
• Ensure all childhood vaccinations are given on time.
• Practise proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette especially while down with a flu to prevent your baby from contracting the infection.
• If your baby is in preschool, the crowding may be a little bit difficult to control. This age group is susceptible to recurrent flu. Remember most are viral and go away on their own.

Please see below an FAQ with the most asked questions about URTI.

1. Is an allergic reaction part of URTI?

An allergic reaction is not typically considered a part of URTI.

URTI refers to infections that affect the upper respiratory tract which includes nose, sinuses, throat and voice box. An allergic reaction, on the other hand, is the body’s immune response to a substance that is usually harmless, known as an allergen. Allergic reactions can affect various parts of the body such as skin or the respiratory tract. However, an allergic reaction can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, and runny or stuffy nose which are similar to some URTI symptoms.

2. My child has an on-and-off fever and is congested. Should I go to the hospital? A temperature of 38C or higher is generally considered a fever in children. It’s highly recommendable for parents to have thermometers in the house. In case of a fever, expose your child by removing some clothes and ensuring they’re well hydrated. Administer a paracetamol to relieve discomfort. Seek medical attention if the fever persists or worsens.
3. How do you distinguish congestion caused by a food allergy and a common cold?

Common colds and allergies can have similar symptoms, although food allergies rarely result in nose congestion or runny nose. Fever is not a feature of allergies. Food allergies primarily result in rashes on the skin. It may also result in vomiting and diarrhoea.