Chronic Upper Respiratory Illnesses

Many children experience frequent respiratory tract infections during their preschool and school years. Respiratory illnesses can be caused by allergies, asthma and exposure to secondary smoke at home. The condition is often viral and mainly affects the upper respiratory tract.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Rhinitis

Treatments include:

• Making sure the child drinks plenty of fluids
• Medicine for fever
• Saline nose drops

Because these infections are usually viral, antibiotics are not used unless bacteria are present.