UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

VIRAL UPPER RESPIRATORY

INFECTION
Introduction
Viral upper respiratory infections are
common but self-limiting and require only
supportive care. Many episodes end
within 7-14 days
Clinical features
The common clinical features include:
Fever
Rhinorrhoea (nasal discharge)
Mouth breathing due to nasal obstruction
by mucopurulent nasal which may
seriously interfere with feeding in infants,
and
Cough
Throat examination shows acute
hyperaemia
Other clinical features may include:
Conjunctivitis and enlarged tender
posterior cervical lymph nodes when
the cause is adenovirus type 3
Irritability , and
Anorexia
Inspiratory stridor, usually at night so
that the child awakens distressed and
struggling for breath , and with a noisy,
barking cough.

Wheezing may occur in young infants

and viral upper respiratory infections are
the commonest triggers of asthma
attacks in children
The following features are absent:
Fast breathing
Lower chest wall indrawing
Stridor when the child is calm
General danger signs
Treatment
 Treat the child as an outpatient
 Throat soothing and cough relieving
drinks such as warm water and sweet
drink
 Paracetamol 10-15 mg/kg every 6
hours to control the fever if the
temperature is >39ºC or the child is
restless
 Clear secretions from the child’s nose
before feeds us a cloth soaked in water,
which has been twisted to form a
pointed wick.
 Do not give any of the following
Antibiotics because they are not
effective and do not prevent
pneummonia
Remedies containing atropine,
codeine or codeine derivatives, or
alcohol because they may be harmful
Medicated drops
 Advise the mother to:
To feed the child
Watch for fast or difficult
breathing and return, if either
develops
Return if the child becomes more
sick, or is not able to drink or
breastfeed
END