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Symptoms of a runny nose in a child
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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The clinical picture of acute rhinitis or nasopharyngitis (nasopharyngitis) is typical. The incubation period is usually 2-4 days. The disease begins with nasal congestion, impaired nasal breathing, then rhinorrhea, cough and sneezing appear. A night cough is possible, usually at the beginning of the night. Such a cough occurs due to mucus flowing down the back of the throat, the so-called drip syndrome.
Depending on the type of pathogen and the child's reactivity, nasopharyngitis (runny nose) may be accompanied by a feverish reaction. Other common symptoms include hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane of the pharynx in the area of the back wall of the pharynx, some pain when swallowing, which sometimes causes the child or teenager to refuse food and even urge to vomit. General malaise and cough are noted due to irritation and dryness of the mucous membrane of the pharynx when breathing through the mouth.
In children of the first year of life, acute nasopharyngitis (runny nose) can be quite severe due to the narrowness of the nasal passages and the small vertical size of the nasal cavity. This leads to a pronounced disruption of nasal breathing, the appearance of shortness of breath, anxiety, refusal to suck, the appearance of regurgitation, which gives rise to the possibility of aspiration. In adenovirus infection, nasopharyngitis is often accompanied by conjunctivitis.
The average duration of a runny nose in uncomplicated cases is 5-10 days. Usually on the 3rd-5th day, the discharge from the nose becomes mucopurulent. Nasal breathing improves, discharge from the nose gradually decreases and recovery occurs.
With mycoplasma and chlamydial etiology, the disease tends to be protracted, over 2 weeks, and is often accompanied by the development of tracheitis and/or bronchitis.
Complications of nasopharyngitis (runny nose) in a child
- The addition of a bacterial infection, usually caused by microflora colonizing the upper respiratory tract, with the development of sinusitis, bronchitis, acute otitis media, pneumonia.
- Exacerbation of chronic pulmonary pathology: decompensation of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, etc.
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