Commonly used estimates of the expected time course of symptoms of common respiratory tract infections are highly variable and not always evidence based. This systematic review examined symptom durations of the most common respiratory tract infections (earache, sore throat, cough, and common cold) in children presenting to primary care.
In 90% of children, earache was resolved by 7 to 8 days, sore throat between 2 and 7 days, croup by 2 days, bronchiolitis by 21 days, acute cough by 25 days, common cold by 15 days, and non-specific respiratory tract infection symptoms by 16 days. The researchers note that the durations of earache and common colds are considerably longer than current guidance given to parents in the UK and US, whilst for other symptoms such as sore throat, acute cough, bronchiolitis, and croup, the current guidance is consistent with their findings.
The researchers hope that parents, clinicians, and policymakers will use these estimates of symptom duration when making decisions regarding healthcare seeking and prescribing, and also when developing clinical guidelines for respiratory tract infections in children.