What is a
URI?
A URI, or upper respiratory infection, is an
infection which can lead to a runny nose and congestion. In
a young infant, the small size of the air passages through
the nose and between the ear and throat can cause problems
not seen as often in larger children and adults. Infants and
young children average 6 to 8 upper respiratory infections
each year.
How does it
occur?
A URI can be caused by many different
viruses. Your child may have caught the virus from another
person or got it from touching something with the virus on
it.
What are the
symptoms?
Symptoms may include:
- runny nose or mucus blocking the air
passages in the nose
- congestion
- cough and hoarseness
- mild fever, usually less than 100°F
- poor feeding
- rash.
How is it diagnosed?
Your child's health care provider will
review the symptoms and may look in your child's ears to
make sure there is not an ear infection.
How is it
treated?
Because your baby has such small nasal air
passages, congestion and mucus can cause trouble breathing.
Most babies do not eat well when they are having trouble
breathing. Use a small bulb and saline drops to help clear
the air passages. Put 1 drop of warm water or saline into
each nostril (one nostril at a time). Gently remove the
mucus with the bulb about a minute later. Your health care
provider can show you how this is done.
Antibiotics can kill bacteria, but not
viruses. If your child has a viral illness such as a URI, an
antibiotic will not help. If your child has an ear infection
caused by bacteria, your health care provider may prescribe
an antibiotic to treat it.
How long will
it last?
Symptoms usually begin 1 to 3 days after
exposure to the virus, and can last 1 to 2 weeks.
How can I
help prevent URI?
Viruses causing an URI are spread from
person to person, so try to avoid exposing your baby to
people who have cold symptoms. Avoiding crowded places (such
as shopping malls or supermarkets) can help decrease
exposures, especially during the fall and winter months when
many people have colds. Keeping hands clean can also help
slow the spread of viruses. Ask people who touch your baby
to wash their hands first.
When should I
call my child's health care provider?
Call immediately if:
- Your child has had no wet diapers for
more than 8 hours.
- Your child has very rapid breathing
(more than 60 breaths in a minute) or trouble breathing.
- Your child is extremely tired or hard
to wake up.
- You cannot console your child.
Call during office hours if:
- Your child has a fever lasting more
than 5 days.
