Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger

Topic Overview

Most babies and older children have several mild infections of the respiratory system each year.

Upper respiratory system

The upper respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, sinuses, and throat. A child with an upper respiratory infection may feel uncomfortable and sound very congested. Other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include:

A runny or stuffy nose. This may lead to blockage of the nasal passages, causing the child to breathe through his or her mouth.
Irritability, restlessness, poor appetite, and decreased activity level.
Coughing, especially when lying down.
Fever that occurs suddenly.

Lower respiratory system

The lower respiratory system includes the bronchial tubes and lungs. Respiratory problems are less common in the lower respiratory system than in the upper respiratory system.

Symptoms of a lower respiratory (bronchial tubes and lungs) problem usually are more severe than symptoms of an upper respiratory (mouth, nose, sinuses, and throat) problem. A child with a lower respiratory problem is more likely to require a visit to a doctor than a child with an upper respiratory problem.

Symptoms of lower respiratory system infections include:

Shallow coughing, which continues throughout the day and night.
Fever, which may be high with some lower respiratory system infections, such as pneumonia.
Irritability, restlessness, poor appetite, and decreased activity level.
Difficulty breathing. You may notice:
- Rapid breathing.
- Grunting, which is heard during the breathing out (exhaling) phase of breathing. Most babies grunt occasionally when they sleep. But grunting that occurs with rapid, shallow breathing may mean lower respiratory system infection.
- Wheezing (which is a different sound than croup).
- Flaring the nostrils and using the neck, chest, and abdominal muscles to breathe, causing a "sucking in" between or under the ribs ( retractions).

Respiratory problems may have many causes.

Fever

Children with a fever often have an infection caused by a virus, such as a cold or the flu. Infections caused by bacteria, such as bacterial pneumonia, also can cause a fever. Babies younger than 6 months should be seen by a doctor anytime they have a fever because they can get extremely sick quickly.

Temperature varies depending on how you take it. The most common methods to measure it are:

Under the tongue.
In the armpit.
In the rectum.
In the ear.

To convert a temperature from one method to another, use the Interactive Tool: How Do Temperatures Compare?

Viral infections

Viral infections cause most upper respiratory infections. Sore throats, colds, croup, and influenza (flu) are common viral illnesses in babies and older children. These infections are usually mild and go away in 4 to 10 days, but they can sometimes be severe. For more information, see the topics Croup and Influenza (Seasonal Flu).

Home treatment can help relieve the child's symptoms. The infection usually improves on its own within a week and is gone within 14 days.

Antibiotics are not used to treat viral illnesses and do not alter the course of viral infections. Unnecessary use of an antibiotic exposes your child to the risks of an allergic reaction and antibiotic side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and yeast infections. Antibiotics also may kill beneficial bacteria and encourage the development of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Viral lower respiratory system infections may be mild, similar to upper respiratory system infections. An example of a possibly serious viral infection is bronchiolitis. Up to 10% of babies and children with viral infections of the lower respiratory system, such as those caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), may develop severe blockage of the air passages and require hospitalization for treatment. For more information, see the topics Acute Bronchitis, Pneumonia, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection.

Bacterial infections

The most common sites for bacterial infections in the upper respiratory system are the sinuses and throat. A sinus infection is an example of an upper respiratory bacterial infection.

Bacterial pneumonia may follow a viral illness as a secondary infection or appear as the first sign of a lower respiratory infection. In babies and small children, the first sign of infection often is rapid breathing, irritability, decreased activity, and poor feeding. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections.

Tuberculosis is a less common bacterial infection of the lower respiratory system.

Allergies

Allergies are a common cause of respiratory problems. Allergy symptoms in children include:

Clear, runny drainage from the nose or a stuffy nose. Children often rub their noses by pushing the tip upward with the palm of the hand ("allergic salute").
Sneezing and watery eyes. Often there are dark circles under the eyes ("allergic shiners").
Irritability and loss of appetite.

Asthma

Babies and small children usually do not have asthma. But the number of new cases of asthma increases with age.

In babies and small children, a hacking cough may be the only symptom of mild asthma.
If asthma worsens, symptoms may include wheezing and shortness of breath after exercise or at nighttime.
In severe asthma, difficulty breathing (using the neck, chest, and abdominal muscles to breathe) and a high-pitched sound when breathing (wheezing) are the most common symptoms.
Allergies and asthma often occur together. For more information, see the topic Asthma in Children.

Other causes

Besides asthma, allergies, and infection, other possible causes of respiratory problems in children include:

Exposure to cigarette smoke. Tobacco smoke impairs lung growth and development. Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke, even before birth (prenatal), are more likely to have asthma and other respiratory problems.
Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object, such as food, a piece of a balloon, or a small toy. For more information, see the topic Swallowed or Inhaled Objects.
Problems that have been present from birth (genetic causes), such as cystic fibrosis.

Babies and children younger than age 3 may have more symptoms with respiratory problems than older children, and they may become more ill. For this reason, younger children need to be watched more closely. The type and severity of the symptoms helps determine whether your child needs to see a doctor.

Check your child's symptoms to decide if and when your child should see a doctor.

Health Tools

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

Interactive tools are designed to help people determine health risks, ideal weight, target heart rate, and more.

Interactive Tool: How Do Temperatures Compare?

Check Your Symptoms

Does your child have a respiratory problem?

Respiratory problems can affect the nose, mouth, sinuses, and throat (upper respiratory system) or the bronchial tubes and lungs (lower respiratory system).

Yes

Respiratory problem

How old are you?

Less than 3 months

3 to 5 months

6 to 11 months

12 months to less than 3 years

3 to 11 years

12 years or older

Are you male or female?

Male

Female

The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.

If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.

Has your child swallowed or inhaled an object?

Yes

Swallowed or inhaled object

Has your child had surgery in the past 2 weeks?

Surgery can cause problems that make your child cough.

Yes

Surgery within past 2 weeks

Does your baby seem sick?

A sick baby probably will not be acting normally. For example, the baby may be much fussier than usual or not want to eat.

Yes

Baby seems sick

How sick do you think your baby is?

Extremely sick

Baby is very sick (limp and not responsive)

Sick

Baby is sick (sleepier than usual, not eating or drinking like usual)

Is your baby having trouble breathing?

Sometimes babies may have trouble breathing because of a stuffy nose. If your baby's nose is stuffy, clearing the nose with a rubber bulb may help.

Yes

Difficulty breathing

Would you describe the breathing problem as severe, moderate, or mild?

Severe

Severe difficulty breathing

Moderate

Moderate difficulty breathing

Mild

Mild difficulty breathing

Is your child having trouble breathing (more than a stuffy nose)?

The symptoms of difficulty breathing in an older child may be different than symptoms in a baby or young child.

Yes

Difficulty breathing more than stuffy nose

Is your child drooling and unable to swallow, cry, or make sounds?

Yes

Drooling and unable to swallow

Would you describe the breathing problem as severe, moderate, or mild?

Severe

Severe difficulty breathing

Moderate

Moderate difficulty breathing

Mild

Mild difficulty breathing

Does your child have a chronic health problem that affects his or her breathing, such as asthma?

A breathing problem may be more of a concern if your child normally does not have breathing problems.

Yes

Has chronic breathing problems

Is the problem your child is having right now different than what you are used to?

Yes

Breathing problem is different than usual symptoms

Is your child's ability to breathe:

Getting worse?

Breathing problems are getting worse

Staying about the same (not better or worse)?

Breathing problems are unchanged

Getting better?

Breathing problems are getting better

Is your child's ability to breathe:

Quickly getting worse (within minutes or hours)?

Breathing problems are quickly worsening

Slowly getting worse (over days)?

Breathing problems are slowly worsening

Staying about the same (not better or worse)?

Breathing problems are unchanged

Getting better?

Breathing problems are getting better

Does your child make a harsh, high-pitched sound when he or she breathes in?

This often occurs with a loud cough that sounds like a barking seal.

Yes

Harsh, high-pitched sound when breathing

Does your child have symptoms of a serious illness?

The symptoms in a baby are different than the symptoms in an older child.

Yes

Symptoms of serious illness

Do you think your baby has a fever?

Yes

Fever

Did you take your child's temperature?

This is the only way to be sure that a baby this age does not have a fever. If you don't know the temperature, it's safest to assume the baby has a fever and needs to be seen by a doctor. Any problem that causes a fever at this age could be serious. Rectal temperatures are the most accurate. Taking an axillary (armpit) temperature is also an option.

Yes

Temperature taken

Is it 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, taken rectally?

This would be an axillary temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F) or higher.

Yes

Temperature at least 38°C (100.4°F) taken rectally

Do you think your child has a fever?

Yes

Fever

Did you take your child's temperature?

Yes

Temperature taken

How high is the fever? The answer may depend on how you took the temperature.

NOTE: Most people have an average body temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F). But it can vary by a degree or more and still be considered normal. If a low body temperature is the only symptom, it’s usually not something to worry about. But be sure to watch for other symptoms.

High: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral

High fever: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral

Moderate: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral

Moderate fever: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral

Mild: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral

Mild fever: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral

How high do you think the fever is?

High

Feels fever is high

Moderate

Feels fever is moderate

Mild or low

Feels fever is mild

How long has your child had a fever?

Less than 2 days (48 hours)

Fever for less than 2 days

From 2 days to less than 1 week

Fever for more than 2 days and less than 1 week

1 week or longer

Fever for 1 week or more

Does your child have a health problem or take medicine that weakens his or her immune system?

Yes

Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems

Does your child have shaking chills or very heavy sweating?

Shaking chills are a severe, intense form of shivering. Heavy sweating means that sweat is pouring off the child or soaking through his or her clothes.

Yes

Shaking chills or heavy sweating

Does your child have a cough?

Yes

Cough

When your child is coughing, does his or her face turn blue or purple?

Yes

Colour changes to blue or purple when coughing

Color changes to blue or purple when coughing

Has the coughing been so bad that it has made your baby vomit?

Yes

Vomiting after coughing spasm

Is your baby coughing up blood?

Yes

Coughing up blood

Is your baby eating less than usual?

Yes

Change in eating habits

Has your baby had a cough for more than 1 full day (24 hours)?

Yes

Cough for more than 24 hours

Cough for 24 hours or less

Is your child coughing up mucus, phlegm (say "flem"), or blood from the lungs?

This is called a productive cough. Mucus or blood draining down the throat from the nose because of a cold, a nosebleed, or allergies is not the same thing.

Yes

Coughing up sputum or blood

Is your child coughing up blood?

Yes

Coughing up blood

How much blood is there?

Thin streaks of blood

Streaks

More than just streaks

More than streaks

Has this been going on for more than 2 days?

Yes

Coughing up mucus for more than 2 days

Has the coughing been so bad that it has made your child vomit?

Yes

Vomiting after coughing spasm

Has your child had a cough for more than 2 weeks?

Yes

Cough for more than 2 weeks

Did the symptoms start after your child took a new medicine?

Do not give your child any more of the medicine until you have talked to the child's doctor.

Yes

Medicine may be causing problems

Does your child have a runny nose?

Yes

Runny nose

Does your baby have trouble eating or sleeping because of a runny, stuffy nose?

Yes

Trouble eating or sleeping because of nasal congestion

Is there thick, yellow drainage coming from your child's nose?

Yes

Thick, yellow nasal drainage

Has your child had the nasal drainage for more than 2 days?

Yes

Nasal drainage for more than 2 days

Is your child acting sicker than you would expect if he or she had a minor illness, like a cold?

Yes

Seems sicker than expected

Does your child have a runny nose, watery eyes, and a lot of sneezing without other cold symptoms?

Yes

Allergy symptoms

Have your child's symptoms lasted longer than 2 weeks?

Yes

Symptoms for more than 2 weeks

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.

Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.

HomeTreatment

RelatedInformation

Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:

You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you're at rest (severe difficulty breathing).

Symptoms of difficulty breathing in a baby or young child can range from mild to severe. For example:

The child may be breathing a little faster than usual (mild difficulty breathing), or the child may be having so much trouble that the nostrils are flaring and the belly is moving in and out with every breath (severe difficulty breathing).
The child may seem a little out of breath but is still able to eat or talk (mild difficulty breathing), or the child may be breathing so hard that he or she cannot eat or talk (severe difficulty breathing).

Severe trouble breathing means:

The child cannot eat or talk because he or she is breathing so hard.
The child's nostrils are flaring and the belly is moving in and out with every breath.
The child seems to be tiring out.
The child seems very sleepy or confused.

Moderate trouble breathing means:

The child is breathing a lot faster than usual.
The child has to take breaks from eating or talking to breathe.
The nostrils flare or the belly moves in and out at times when the child breathes.

Mild trouble breathing means:

The child is breathing a little faster than usual.
The child seems a little out of breath but can still eat or talk.

If you're not sure if a child's fever is high, moderate, or mild, think about these issues:

With a high fever:

The child feels very hot.
It is likely one of the highest fevers the child has ever had.

With a moderate fever:

The child feels warm or hot.
You are sure the child has a fever.

With a mild fever:

The child may feel a little warm.
You think the child might have a fever, but you're not sure.

Temperature varies a little depending on how you measure it. For children up to 11 years old, here are the ranges for high, moderate, and mild according to how you took the temperature.

Oral (by mouth) temperature

High: 40° C (104° F) and higher
Moderate: 38° C (100.4° F) to 39.9° C (103.9° F)
Mild: 37.9° C (100.3° F) and lower

A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.3° C (0.5° F) to 0.6° C (1° F) lower than an oral temperature.

Ear or rectal temperature

High: 40.5° C (104.9° F) and higher
Moderate: 38.5° C (101.3° F) to 40.4° C (104.7° F)
Mild: 38.4° C (101.1° F) and lower

Armpit (axillary) temperature

High: 39.8° C (103.6° F) and higher
Moderate: 37.8° C (100° F) to 39.7° C (103.5° F)
Mild: 37.7° C (99.9° F) and lower

Note: For children under 5 years old, rectal temperatures are the most accurate.

Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in children are:

Diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and congenital heart disease.
Steroid medicines, which are used to treat a variety of conditions.
Medicines taken after organ transplant.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
Not having a spleen.

Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following:

The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll.
The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
The baby is hard to wake up.

Symptoms of serious illness may include:

A severe headache.
A stiff neck.
Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert.
Extreme fatigue (to the point where it's hard for you to function).
Shaking chills.

Sudden drooling and trouble swallowing can be signs of a serious problem called epiglottitis. This problem can happen at any age.

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue at the back of the throat that you can't see when you look in the mouth. When you swallow, it closes to keep food and fluids out of the tube (trachea) that leads to the lungs. If the epiglottis becomes inflamed or infected, it can swell and quickly block the airway. This makes it very hard to breathe.

The symptoms start suddenly. A person with epiglottitis is likely to seem very sick, have a fever, drool, and have trouble breathing, swallowing, and making sounds. In the case of a child, you may notice the child trying to sit up and lean forward with his or her jaw forward, because it's easier to breathe in this position.

You can use a small rubber bulb (called an aspirating bulb) to remove mucus from your baby's nose or mouth when a cold or allergies make it hard for the baby to eat, sleep, or breathe.

To use the bulb:

Put a few saline nose drops in each side of the baby's nose before you start.
Position the baby with his or her head tilted slightly back.
Squeeze the round base of the bulb.
Gently insert the tip of the bulb tightly inside the baby's nose.
Release the bulb to remove (suction) mucus from the nose.

Don't do this more than 5 or 6 times a day. Doing it too often can make the congestion worse and can also cause the lining of the nose to swell or bleed.

A baby that is extremely sick:

May be limp and floppy like a rag doll.
May not respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
May be hard to wake up.

A baby that is sick (but not extremely sick):

May be sleepier than usual.
May not eat or drink as much as usual.

Seek Care Now

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Call 911 or other emergency services now.

Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.

Make an Appointment

Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.

HomeTreatment

RelatedInformation

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.

HomeTreatment

RelatedInformation

Post-Operative Problems

Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older

Swallowed or Inhaled Objects

Home Treatment

Most children have 7 to 10 mild upper respiratory infections each year. Your child may feel uncomfortable and have a stuffy nose. The infection is usually better within a week and is usually gone within 14 days.

Home treatment is appropriate for mild symptoms and can help your child feel better.

If your child has a barking cough during the night, you can help him or her breathe better by following the home treatment for a barking cough.

Keep the room temperature comfortable for you and your child. A hot, dry environment will increase nasal congestion.
Raise the head of your baby's bed about 2.5 cm (1 in.) to 5 cm (2 in.) by placing blocks under the crib. Do not raise just the mattress because it may leave a gap for your baby to roll into. Do not raise the head of the bed if your baby is younger than 6 months.
Prevent dehydration.
- Let your baby breastfeed more often or give your baby extra bottles. Liquids may help thin the mucus and also reduce fever (if present).
- Do not awaken your child during naps or at night to take fluids.
- Do not force your child to take fluids, which may cause your child to vomit.
Give your child extra cuddling and distraction.
Let your child get extra rest to fight the infection.
Do not give your child leftover antibiotics or antibiotics or other medicines prescribed for someone else.
Put a vaporizer or humidifier in your child's room if he or she is breathing through the mouth.
- Lukewarm mist may help your child feel more comfortable by soothing the swollen air passages. It may also help with your child's hoarseness. But do not let your child's room get uncomfortably cold or very damp.
- Use a shallow pan of water to provide moisture in the air through evaporation if you don't have a humidifier. Place the pan where no one will trip on it or fall into it.
If your child has a stuffy nose:
- Use saline nose drops to help with nasal congestion.
- Use a rubber bulb to suction the nose sparingly. It will help reduce nasal drainage if your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding or bottle-feeding or seems to be short of breath. Babies often do not like having their noses suctioned with a rubber bulb.
- Do not give your child oral antihistamines or decongestants unless directed to do so by your child's doctor. Antihistamines and decongestants can cause your child to behave differently, making it harder to tell how sick he or she really is. Studies show that over-the-counter cough medicines do not work very well. And some of these medicines can cause problems if you use too much of them. It is important to use medicines correctly and to keep them out of the reach of children to prevent accidental use.
If your child has a cough:
- Honey or lemon juice in hot water or tea may help a dry cough. Do not give honey to a child younger than 1 year old. It may have bacteria that are harmful to babies.
- Be careful with cough and cold medicines. Don't give them to children younger than 6 years old, because they don't work for children that age and can even be harmful. For children 6 years of age and older, always follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure you know how much medicine to give and how long to use it. And use the dosing device if one is included. For more information, see Quick Tips: Giving Over-the-Counter Medicines to Children.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription
Try a non-prescription medicine to help treat your child's fever or pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Ibuprofen, such as Motrin or Advil Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine.

Safety tips
Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a non-prescription medicine:
Carefully read and follow all labels on the medicine bottle and box. Give, but do not exceed, the maximum recommended doses. Do not give your child a medicine if he or she has had an allergic reaction to it in the past. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18 unless directed to do so by your child's doctor. Do not give naproxen (such as Aleve) to children younger than age 12 unless your child's doctor tells you to.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

Call your child's doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:

Difficulty breathing develops.
Increased drooling develops.
Cough gets worse or a persistent cough develops.
Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention

It is common for children to develop respiratory problems (such as viral infections) because they are often exposed to other people who have infections and have not built up immunity. There is no sure way to prevent many respiratory illnesses in babies and children. Very young babies are at greater risk for developing complications from respiratory illnesses, so it is important to do what you can to protect them from exposure. The following may help reduce your child's risk for respiratory problems:

If you have a respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu, or if you are caring for someone with a respiratory infection, wash your hands before caring for your child. Hand-washing eliminates the germs on your hands and the spread of germs to your child when you touch your child or touch an object he or she might touch.
If your child goes to a daycare centre, ask the staff to wash their hands often to prevent the spread of infection.
Make sure that your child gets all of his or her vaccinations, especially for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) and for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). For more information, see the topic Immunizations.
Breastfeed your baby for at least the first 6 months after birth, if possible. Breastfed children develop fewer respiratory problems than those who are not breastfed.
If one of your children is sick, separate him or her from other children in the home, if possible. Put the child in a room alone to sleep.
Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. If you smoke, quit. If you cannot quit, do not smoke in the house or car. Second-hand smoke irritates the mucous membranes in your child's nose, sinuses, and lungs and increases his or her risk for respiratory infections. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
Avoid giving young children food or objects that may be improperly swallowed and inhaled, such as nuts, popcorn, small candies, or small toys. An inhaled object can lead to a respiratory infection. For more information, see the topic Swallowed or Inhaled Objects.
- For information on preventing allergies or asthma, see the topic Allergic Rhinitis or Asthma in Children.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your child's doctor diagnose and treat your child's condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

Did the symptoms start as a cold but now appear to be worse than you would expect from a cold?
What home treatment have you tried? Did it help?
What non-prescription medicines have you used? Did they help?
What prescription and non-prescription medicines does your child take?
Does your child seem to have any symptoms that indicate an infection in one area, such as pain in one ear?
Has your child had any other recent illnesses?
Has your child had his or her routine immunizations?
Does another member of your family have similar symptoms?
Has your child been eating, sleeping, and playing normally?
Have you, your child, or another member of your family recently travelled, either inside or outside of the country?
Does your child have any health risks?