A CHILD WITH RECURRENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Abstract

Recurrent respiratory infections are the commonest reason for children to be seen by their general practitioner or a paediatrician. Most infections involve only the upper respiratory tract, but in 10-30 proc. the lower respiratory tract also affected. The child with recurrent respiratory tract infections presents the clinician with a difficult diagnostic challenge. Does the child have a simply-managed cause for the symptoms, or is there evidence of a more serious underlying pathology. The article presents the literature review about the causes of recurrent infections and describes how these children should be assesed and investigated.