Paediatrics@home

Viral URTI

Your child has been diagnosed with a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

We hope the following pages will be helpful in providing you with the education and resources you need to support your child from home.

What is a Viral URTI?

A viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a common illness caused by a virus, such as the common cold, influenza, or coronavirus.

It typically involves one or more part of the upper respiratory tract such as the ear, nose, sinuses, tonsils, and throat.

Symptoms of Viral URTI

The symptoms of viral URTI can include:

  • sneezing
  • runny nose
  • nasal congestion
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • hoarse voice
  • headache
  • fever
  • decreased appetite

What to do at home

Click below for information on ways to help at home.

Track your child's symptoms

Keep track of your child's symptoms and document details you feel are important. You may also want to keep track of any medications given and whether this helped.

Help your child stay hydrated

As with other viral illnesses, it is important to ensure your child remains well hydrated by offering fluids containing not only water but sugar and electrolytes (e.g., breastmilk or formula in infants, electrolyte drinks in older children) WebMD - Treating Dehydration in Children

Help with cough and congestion

Saline and suction can be used to help clear your child's nasal passages. Start by applying saline (salt water) to the nasal passages. Afterwards, you can use a bulb suction to remove excess mucous. This can help with feeding in infants and with sleep, so consider saline and suctioning prior to feeding or sleeping.

The following resource is a link to a video with instruction on how to use saline and suction in an infant Boys Town Pediatrics - Nasal Saline & Suction

Fever management

To help reduce fever, you can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) and, if your child is older than 3 months, ibuprofen (Advil), so long as your child does not have allergies or other reasons not to take these medications.

Unless your doctor advises you otherwise, give the dose recommended on the medication package. Safe Acetaminophen Dosing for Infants and Children Mount Sinai - Ibuprofen Dosing for Infants and Children Paediatrics@home - Fever

Does my child need antibiotics?

No, antibiotics are not required for treatment of a viral URTI.

Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. This can include things like pneumonia, strep throat, bladder infections and some skin infections.

Viruses and bacteria can both cause infection but are different bugs. Bacteria can be killed using antibiotics. Viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics.

Nemours KidsHealth - Does My Child Need an Antibiotic?

When to seek medical attention

Here are some signs that, if present, should lead you to seek immediate medical attention for your child:

  • fever in a child under 4 weeks of age
  • fever lasting more than 48-72 hours
  • excessively sleepy, lethargic, or not responsive child
  • excessively cranky, fussy, or irritable child
  • fast or laboured breathing
  • cyanosis (blue lips or fingers)
  • stridor (high-pitched sound when child breathes in)
  • wheeze (high-pitched sound when child breathes out)
  • poor intake leading to dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears, dark urine, no urine for more than 8-12 hours)

Follow Up

Please follow up with your primary care provider unless instructed otherwise. Of course, if you feel your child needs immediate medical attention, please do not hesitate to call 911 or bring them to your closest emergency department.

We hope this has been useful. Thank you for using Paediatrics@home!