Catarrh and runny nose

Neither a persistent yellow catarrh (catarrh which continues for longer than five or six days), nor a runny nose is normal. Both of these signs indicate that your child may be suffering from an upper respiratory viral infection.

If yellow secretions go on for more than six or seven days your child may need antibiotics. A clear watery nasal discharge over a long period is more likely to be caused by allergic rhinitis.

What to do

As the ear, nose and throat and the lungs are connected by a small set of tubes, anatomically speaking, an infection in any one place can very quickly creep along the tubes to infect another. For example, a chronic infection of the middle ear can lead to a condition called glue ear which can affect hearing and the development of speech. See your doctor if you suspect your child may have an ear infection.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 03.11.2010

Get more on this subject…