Susceptibility to infections

Frequent infections of the upper airways are fortunately seldom an indicator of a reduced immunological resistance but are usually caused by harmless, different viruses. Especially younger children catch these frequently in day care centers, in kindergarten and from their siblings. Up to nine infections of the upper airways per year for children and four per year for adults are considered normal.

Further evaluations are indicated when such colds last longer or become more severe, when antibiotics are needed repeatedly or hospital stays are necessary, when developmental disorders develop or symptoms of other diseases are also present.

There is not always a weakness of the immune system or an underlying disease responsible. Confined disorders such as chronic tonsillitis can play a role. An atopic dermatitis can be responsible for purulent skin abscesses, asthma or an allergy can be responsible for coughing.