Colds in Kids: Implication for Anesthesia

Viral respiratory tract infections are the most common illnesses affecting children. The reported incidence of upper respiratory infection is 24% for all children less than 5 years of age. Several studies have attempted to standardize upper respiratory infection symptoms in an effort to distinguish patients with upper respiratory tract infections. In general, most clinical studies require the presence of at least two of the following criteria: sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, rhinorrhea, congestion, malaise nonproductive cough, fever (mild), or laryngitis. Only a few studies have utilized viral studies to definitively determine the presence of a viral infection. However, the anesthesiologist in the usual clinical setting will not have the advantages of time and viral studies to determine the presence of a viral URI. This empiric definition of upper respiratory infection is not only helpful in clinical studies but is relevant in clinical practice where viral cultures will not be available.