Lung & Respiratory Infections
Lee Health: Your Trusted Partner for Pediatric Respiratory Infections
Lee Health offers compassionate care and medical expertise to help your family understand your child's respiratory infection. We offer the best treatment options available to support your child's respiratory health needs.
Read more below about common respiratory infections.
What is a respiratory infection?
A respiratory tract infection negatively impacts your respiratory system, which is responsible for your breathing. While symptoms can vary from person to person, upper respiratory infections affect the sinuses, throat, lungs or airways. The two types of respiratory infections are:
- Upper respiratory infection which affects your sinuses and throat
- Lower respiratory infection which affects the airways and lungs
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Pediatric Primary Care
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Common Pediatric Upper Respiratory Infections
While symptoms can vary from person to person upper respiratory infections affect the sinuses and throat. Upper respiratory infections can have a bacterial or viral cause and common upper respiratory infections include:
- Common cold is most commonly caused by rhinoviruses with symptoms such as a sinus congestion, sneezing, and low-grade fever.
- Croup is commonly caused by influenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus and it's symptoms include a harsh or "barky" cough, difficulty breathing, and fever.
- Epiglottitis is most commonly caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. Epiglottitis occurs when the epiglottis, a small cartilage "lid" covering the windpipe, swells blocking the airflow into the lungs. **If epiglottitis is suspected contact your provider immediately as this can be a life threatening condition.**
- Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box) often caused by a viral infection such as a cold or flu or damage to your voice box.
- Sinusitis (sinus infection) is swelling or inflammation in the tissue lining the sinuses often caused by the common cold or allergies. Symptoms typically include a postnasal drip, cough, fever and headaches.
- Tuberculosis is a potentially serious condition that mainly affects the lungs. It is caused by a bacteria that spreads from person to person through the droplets released from coughs and sneezes.
Common Pediatric Lower Respiratory Infections
Lower respiratory infections are often more serious and last longer. These infections include:
- Bronchitis is a lung infection that causes fever and coughing due to inflammation and mucus. Symptoms last up to a couple weeks in acute bronchitis or for more than two years if it is chronic bronchitis.
- Bronchiolitis is a lung infection that primarily affects young children under the age of two. A viral infection, bronchiolitis causes the airways in the lungs to narrow, making breathing difficult.
- Chest infection is an infection of the lungs or large airways following a cold or flue. Depending on the severity of the infection symptoms could be mild or severe and life threatening.
- Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause mild to sever illness and inflammation of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. It is most common in children 5 and under, especially those with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions.
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Pediatric Infectious Disease - Golisano Children's Health Center
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Pediatric Infectious Disease - HealthPark Medical Center
Causes of Pediatric Lung & Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are caused by viruses or bacteria entering your respiratory system. RTIs often spread through coughs, sneezes or other exposure from an infected individual. Additionally your risk for a respiratory infection increases due to:
- Smoking or smoke exposure
- A weakened immune system
- Air pollutants
- Dust
- Acid reflux
- Harmful gases from chemicals
Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Lung & Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are common in children, especially those in daycare or school. Siblings also can increase the opportunity for infections.
Typically, it is common for kids to have up to six respiratory infections per year lasting up to two weeks. Many times over-the-counter and home remedies are sufficient to help your child feel better until the virus or infection passes.
If your child is presenting with serious symptoms that do not improve such as high fever or difficulty breathing, contact your child's primary care provider or got to urgent care to be seen.
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Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Open 24 hours a day/seven days a week, our emergency department is designed specifically for children. Our pediatric-certified staff is ready to handle any condition as well as soothe anxiety and fear.