Respiratory tract infections in children Infections of your child's nose, sinuses, throat, airways, or lungs are common causes of breathing problems in children. Most respiratory tract infections are caused by viral infections and heal without treatment. But in some cases, you may need help. - Your child has a lot of trouble breathing.... - Your child grunts while trying to breathe.... - The muscles under his ribs are sucked with each breath.... - Fast breathing... - Your child wakes up with difficulty.... - Your child's breathing stops temporarily or there is a pause in his breathing.... - The color of the child's skin or lips is very blue.... from respiratory tract infections ### 1... upper respiratory tract infections Infections of the nose, sinuses, and throat are called upper respiratory tract infections.. Children are more likely to get this type of infection because they are not yet immune to the viruses that cause them.. and most often get better on their own.. Babies and young children experience an average of 6 to 10 upper respiratory tract infections per year... URIs can be caused by a variety of viruses...

More read: Respiratory distress in children Sleep disorders in children

Common symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection are: - Runny nose or mucus that blocks the airways in the nose - Cough and hoarseness - High body temperature - Sore throat or earache - Hives - Noisy breathing (you may hear wheezing or whistling) - Eating and drinking problems due to difficulty in breathing - Mouth breathing and nasal congestion... If your child has a sore throat from an upper respiratory tract infection, he may not want to eat or drink... Infections that affect your child's main airways and lungs are called lower respiratory tract infections (chest infections).. - High temperature - Cough and vomiting - breathing problems (rapid breathing, making noises when breathing or trying to breathe) - Drowsiness - Change in skin color If your child gets frequent infections, if the infection doesn't go away or if it comes back, it could be a sign of an underlying problem.. It's normal for a toddler going to daycare to catch a cold six to eight times a year... but if your child has other symptoms that keep coming back, see your doctor... #### What is bronchiolitis?. Bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract infection that usually affects infants and children under the age of two. This infection occurs when a virus travels from the nose and throat to the lungs, causing swelling in the smaller airways, or bronchioles, of the lungs. This causes a blockage of air in the smaller lungs. The pediatrician will check for symptoms and may look into your child's ears to make sure there is no ear infection.. A sample of nasal discharge may also be tested.. Since your child has a small nasal airway, congestion and mucus can cause breathing problems.. Most babies do not eat well when they have trouble breathing.. Pour water into each nostril.... After about a minute show the doctor how you can do this gently. Botulism in children under one year old.... ### How to prevent upper respiratory infection in children.. Viruses that cause URI are spread from person to person.. So try to avoid exposing your child to people who have cold symptoms.. Avoiding crowded places like shopping malls or supermarkets can help reduce contact, especially in the fall and winter months when many people have colds. Keeping your hands clean can also help slow the spread of viruses. #### When should I call the doctor? See a doctor immediately if you notice the following symptoms: - Your child has not had a wet diaper for more than 8 hours... - Your child is breathing very fast (more than 60 breaths per minute) or has trouble breathing... - Your child is very tired or has difficulty waking up... - Your child has had a fever for more than 5 days...