My Child Keeps Sneezing and Has a Runny Nose — Is It a Cold or Nasal Allergy? “My child seems to have a cold all the time.” It is an extremely common concern. Your child wakes up sneezing. Their nose is running again. They rub their nose repeatedly, perhaps sniff throughout breakfast, and by bedtime their nose seems completely blocked. Then come the questions: “Is this just another cold?” “Could it be hay fever?” “Why does it happen even in winter?” Children certainly catch frequent viral infections, particularly when they attend nursery or school. But when nasal symptoms continue for weeks, repeatedly appear in particular environments or are accompanied by itching and watery eyes , another possibility is allergic rhinitis . Understanding the difference can help families avoid repeatedly treating “colds” that may actually have a different cause. What is allergic rhinitis? Allergic rhinitis means inflammation inside the nose caused by an allergic reaction. The immune system reacts...
Could My Teenager’s Severe Sore Throat Be Glandular Fever? Symptoms Parents Should Know Your teenager develops a sore throat. At first, it seems like another ordinary throat infection. But several days later, they are still unwell. Their tonsils look swollen. The glands in their neck seem prominent. And the tiredness is different from what you normally see with a cold. They may sleep for hours and still say: “I’m exhausted.” For parents, this raises an important question: Could this be glandular fever rather than ordinary tonsillitis? Glandular fever is particularly common in teenagers and young adults. It is usually caused by the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and can produce a combination of severe sore throat, fever, swollen lymph glands and significant fatigue. nhs.uk Most young people recover without complications, but recovery can take longer than parents expect. Families also need to know a few important things about antibiotics, hydration, and returning to sport . ...