Infection in the Nose, Throat, and Airways (Upper Respiratory Infection) in Children: What to Know

An upper respiratory infection (URI) affects the nose, throat, and upper airways that lead to the lungs. The most common type of URI is the common cold.

URIs usually get better on their own. Medicines can't cure URIs, but you can do things to help your child feel better.

What are the causes?

• Breathing in droplets from someone's cough or sneeze.
• Touching something that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.

What increases the risk?

• They're young.
• They're around many people, such as at school or daycare.
• They're around tobacco smoke.
• They have:
  • A weak immune system, which is the body's defense system.
  • Certain allergies.
• They have a lot of stress.
• They do heavy physical training.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• Runny or stuffy (congested) nose or sneezing.
• Cough or sore throat.
• Ear pain. Pulling on the ear may be a sign of this.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Feeling tired and being less active.
• Not wanting to eat or drink.
• Changes in sleep or being fussy.

How is this diagnosed?

• Your child's symptoms and medical history.
• A physical exam.

Your child's health care provider may also use a swab to take a mucus sample from your child's nose (nasal swab). This sample can be tested to see what virus is causing the illness.

How is this treated?

URIs often get better on their own within 7–10 days. Medicines or antibiotics can't cure URIs. But if your child is 6 years of age or older, your child's provider may suggest over-the-counter cold medicines to help with symptoms.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Give your child medicines only as told.
• Do not give cold medicines to a child who is younger than 6 years old, unless their provider says it's OK.
• Talk with your child's provider:
  • Before you give your child any new medicines.
  • Before you try any home remedies such as herbal treatments.
• Do not give your child aspirin. It can make your child very sick.

Relieving symptoms

• Use saline nose drops (nasal drops) to help relieve a stuffy nose.
  • Do not use nose drops that have medicines in them unless your child's provider tells you to.
• Have your child swish with salt water and then spit it out. To make salt water, add a half to a whole spoonful of salt to a glass of warm water. Mix well.
• If your child is 1 year old or older, giving a teaspoon of honey before bed may help lessen coughing at night. Make sure your child brushes their teeth after you give them honey.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air. This can help your child breathe more easily.

Activity

• Have your child rest as much as possible.
• If your child has a fever, keep them home from daycare or school until the fever is gone.

General instructions

• Give your child more fluids as told.
• Clean your child's nose gently with a moist, soft cloth. Use saline drops to wet the area first.
• Use a cream or balm to help heal dry skin around your child's nose.
• Keep your child away from places where people are smoking. Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Make sure your child gets regular shots and gets the flu shot every year.

How to prevent the spread of infection to others

URIs spread easily. To help stop the spread:

• Have your child:
  • Wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If they can't use soap and water, have them use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching their mouth, face, eyes, or nose.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or their sleeve or elbow.
  • Avoid coughing or sneezing into a hand or into the air.
• Have everyone at home wash their hands often.
• Clean all surfaces and doorknobs.

Contact your child's health care provider if:

• Your child has a fever for more than 4 days.
• Your child's symptoms don't get better.
• Your child's symptoms get worse.
• Your child's eyes are red and have a yellow fluid coming from them.

• Your child has a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher.
• Your child has a fever, and they look or act sick in a way that worries you.

If you can't reach the provider, go to an urgent care or emergency room.

Get help right away if:

• Your child has trouble breathing.
• Your child's skin or nails look gray or blue.
• Your child has signs of dehydration, which is when there's not enough water in their body. Signs include:
  • Being more sleepy than usual.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Being very thirsty.
  • Little or no pee.
  • Wrinkled skin.
  • Feeling dizzy.
  • No tears.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Call 911 right away.