• Chills

  Contrary to what people may think, other factors, such as becoming chilled, wet, or tired, do not cause colds or increase a child's susceptibility to infection. [merckmanuals.com]

• Sneezing

  Less often, infections spread when children breathe air containing droplets that were coughed or sneezed out by an infected person. [merckmanuals.com]

• Gagging

  Because infants are unable to spit out mucus that they cough up, they often gag and choke. The small airways of young children can be significantly narrowed by inflammation and mucus, making breathing difficult. [merckmanuals.com]

• Cyanosis

  Severe airway narrowing may cause children to gasp for breath and turn blue (cyanosis). Such airway problems are most common with infection caused by parainfluenza viruses, RSV, and human metapneumovirus infection. [merckmanuals.com]

• Agitation

  Infants and younger children are particularly sensitive to the side effects of decongestants and may experience agitation, confusion, hallucinations, lethargy, and rapid heart rate and should never take these drugs. [merckmanuals.com]

• Confusion

  Infants and younger children are particularly sensitive to the side effects of decongestants and may experience agitation, confusion, hallucinations, lethargy, and rapid heart rate and should never take these drugs. [merckmanuals.com]

• Headache

  Headaches and body aches develop, particularly with influenza. Infants and young children are usually not able to communicate their specific symptoms and just appear cranky and uncomfortable. [merckmanuals.com]

• Irritability

  Typical symptoms include nasal congestion, a runny nose, scratchy throat, cough, and irritability. The diagnosis is based on symptoms. Good hygiene is the best way to prevent these infections, and routine vaccination can help prevent influenza. [merckmanuals.com]

• Lethargy

  Other typical symptoms in children include decreased appetite, lethargy, and a general feeling of illness (malaise). Headaches and body aches develop, particularly with influenza. [merckmanuals.com]

Treatment aims to relieve symptoms. Children develop on average six viral respiratory tract infections each year. [merckmanuals.com]

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent these infections, and routine vaccination can help prevent influenza. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms. Children develop on average six viral respiratory tract infections each year. [merckmanuals.com]