Upper Airway Infections in Children

Upper airway infections in children involve one or several of these areas: the nose, the nasopharynx, and the throat with the tonsils.

Most of them, 90 per cent, are caused by viruses, so they do not need antibiotics. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. They work only against bacteria.

If there is fever, cough or a sore throat, see a doctor: your family doctor, a paediatrician or an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Why a child gets them often

1. Infections come often in the first year at nursery or kindergarten.
2. The adenoid is enlarged or long-standingly infected.
3. Allergic rhinitis. Swelling and discharge inside the nose make a good environment for infection. A skin rash does not have to be present.
4. Long-standing tonsil infection.
5. Environmental factors: smoking at home, a bedroom that is too hot or too cold, the ideal being 20 to 22 degrees, and air pollution.

When surgery comes onto the agenda

Control the allergic rhinitis and the environmental factors first, and let the nursery years pass. If the infections still come often and the blocked nose does not settle despite proper medicines, surgery becomes an option.

Removing the adenoid is the most important and the most useful operation. Removing the tonsils should only be considered if they are very large, or if they become infected often.