Symptoms provide critical clues about your child’s health and help doctors assess the severity of an illness. Tracking symptoms over time allows for better decision-making, ensuring that the proper care is provided when needed. Each symptom can indicate different health concerns:
Coughing
It can be a sign of a respiratory infection, allergies, or asthma. Persistent or severe coughing may indicate a more serious condition like pneumonia or bronchitis. Important considerations are:
- Is it dry, or does it sound wet…as if your child has some secretions (children typically swallow, rather than spit out secretions, a.k.a. expectorate).
- Does it occur in short bursts, like 1-2 coughs, then nothing until the next episode, vs long fits where the face may become flushed, ending with a gasp & they may vomit too.
- Does it sound like a seal barking (that is a croupy cough)
Rapid Breathing
The normal breathing rate is highly age-dependent (faster in infants than in preschoolers) & to a lesser extent, state-dependent (i.e., quiet wakefulness, activity, sleep). The best time to count is when they are asleep, & count for a full 60 seconds.
Noisy breathing
– Sounds like wheezing, stridor, or rattling can help identify airway issues, such as asthma, croup, or bronchiolitis. There are many different breathing sounds, and they are not all “wheeze.” Wheeze refers to a high-pitched, whistling sound, typically during exhalation. Stridor is a louder sound, typically during inhalation. Parents often report “raspy” breathing, particularly in infants, which may or may not be a true wheeze. They can often “feel” a purring when they place a hand on an infant’s chest. Don’t confuse any of these with snoring!
Identify that sound! (listen)
Difficulty breathing
– Labored or rapid breathing can signal lung infections, asthma attacks, or respiratory distress that may require urgent medical attention. Younger children rarely tell us they feel short of breath, so caregivers must pay attention to how their little chests & bellies move when s/he breathe. Belly should jut outward when infant or child inhales, while chest should rise or move outward after a very brief delay. This is normal. Watch for places where the chest gets sucked in, usually under the ribs, in the neck above the breastbone, or between the ribs. The more sucking, you see, the more difficulty your child has. In the extreme, ribs/chest may get sucked in as the belly juts outward
Vomiting/Diarrhea
Vomiting – A viral stomach bug usually causes vomiting in children and often comes on suddenly. It may last for 1 to 2 days, with the first 6 to 12 hours being the most intense. Other common causes include food poisoning, motion sickness, or excessive coughing. If vomiting continues beyond 24 hours, your child can’t keep fluids down, or there are signs of dehydration (such as dry lips, lack of urine, or lethargy), contact your healthcare provider. Always watch for signs of fever, diarrhea, or abdominal pain that may indicate other underlying issues.
Diarrhea is common in babies and toddlers and is usually caused by a viral infection. It may last for several days and often comes with a fever or vomiting. The stools are loose or watery and may happen more frequently than usual. Other causes include food sensitivities, antibiotics, or bacterial infections. The biggest concern with diarrhea is dehydration, especially if your child isn’t drinking well or is also vomiting. Call your provider if diarrhea lasts more than a few days, contains blood or mucus, or if your child shows signs of dehydration like dry mouth, fewer wet diapers, or unusual sleepiness.
Fever
– A sign that the body is fighting an infection. Tracking fever along with other symptoms helps determine whether a virus or a bacterium causes an illness.
Nasal congestion
Nasal congestion – Can indicate a common cold, allergies, or a more significant respiratory infection, affecting breathing and sleep.
Rapid heart rate
Rapid heart rate – May be caused by fever, dehydration, or respiratory distress, and can help doctors assess overall illness severity. Heart rate will rise with fever (as will breathing rate) or as breathing difficulty worsens
