The duration of acute respiratory tract infections in children.
In a rural district in Western Norway with 400 children under 16 years, we recorded all children with acute respiratory infections who attended their general practitioner during a period of four months. 90 cases were recorded, giving an incidence of 5.6% per month. Half of the patients contacted the doctor within four days from the initial symptom, every sixth waited more than two weeks. Their symptoms were monitored by the parents. Low fever, nasal discharge and cough were the most long-standing symptoms. After three weeks less than 50% of the patients were completely recovered. The children under one year of age recovered more quickly than the rest. No serious complications or sequelae were recorded.
Gulbrandsen
P
P
Institute of General Practice, Bergen, Norway.
Fugelli
P
P
Kvarstein
G
G
Moland
L
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors