By Heather Jones
Medically reviewed by Daniel Combs, MD
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Chest congestion is a symptom of a condition, not a condition unto itself. It occurs in a number of illnesses that commonly affect toddlers, including the common cold. However, it can also be caused by more serious illnesses or be a sign of a genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis.
Congestion occurs when the lungs and lower airway passages (bronchial tubes) are inflamed and fill with mucus or phlegm. It causes a "wet" cough. Symptoms that accompany chest congestion vary by illness.
This article explains what can cause chest congestion, other symptoms that can occur with those illnesses, and how you would normally treat congestion at home. In addition, it outlines signs that a cough or congestion may be something serious and when you should see a doctor for treatment.
Common Cold
As the name states, the common cold is common. Colds are caused by respiratory viruses and children can experience as many as ten in the first two years of life leading to calls to the pediatrician on a regular basis.1
Healthy children experience about six colds per year, and colds are rarely serious.
Chest congestion can last up to two weeks for a cold. Other normal symptoms of colds include:2
Runny nose and nasal congestion
Sore throat
Hoarse voice
Cough
Fever under 104° F
Colds can develop into more serious illnesses. Of those children that come down with a secondary health problem, 5% to 10% develop an ear or sinus infection.
If your child's cold seems to be getting worse, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Signs of a secondary infection include:
Trouble breathing
Rapid breathing
Earache
Ear discharge
Pus in the eyes (“gunky” eyes, eyelids stuck together, especially after sleeping)
Fever for more than three days
Sinus pain that's not helped by nasal washes
Fever that goes away for 24 hours and then returns
Sore throat for more than five days
Nasal discharge for more than two weeks
Cough lasting more than three weeks
What Kind of Cough Is It?
Coughs are a symptom of many illnesses, but the type of cough makes a difference. Common types of toddler coughs include:3
Croup: A seal bark-sounding cough with a stridor (high-pitched whistling sound on inhalation) associated with swelling in the upper airway
Wheezing: A wheezing, whistling sound when exhaling (breathing out)
Wet: Produces mucus; comes from the chest; can be forceful and may trigger the gag reflex, or cause vomiting
Whooping: A deep breath that makes a “whooping” sound at the end of the coughing
Acute Bronchitis
Often called a “chest cold,” acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (large breathing tubes in the lungs). In contrast to chronic bronchitis, acute bronchitis is short lasting. Symptoms generally develop and go away quickly, and most cases are mild.4
In children, acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection. It may develop after a cold or other viral upper respiratory infection. It can also be caused by bacteria or exposure to irritants such as dust, allergens, strong fumes, or tobacco smoke.5
Symptoms of acute bronchitis usually last one to two weeks. In addition to chest congestion, your child may have:
Dry or mucus-filled cough
Wheezing
Sore throat
Vomiting or gagging
Runny nose (often before the cough starts)
Chest soreness
Fatigue
General feelings of discomfort or unwell
Slight fever (under 100.4° F)
Chills
Mild muscle/back pain
Take your toddler to a doctor if bronchitis progresses and your child has these symptoms:6
Fever of 100.4° F or higher
Bloody mucus with the cough
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Symptoms that last more than three weeks
Repeated or reoccurring incidences of bronchitis
What Does “Trouble Breathing” Look Like?
With a cough and/or congestion, it can be hard to tell if a child is having trouble breathing. If you notice any of these signs, your child may be experiencing breathing difficulties and you should seek immediate or emergency medical care:7
Struggling for each breath
Shortness of breath
Tight breathing (your child can barely speak or cry)
Ribs pulling in with each breath (retractions)
Noisy breathing (such as wheezing)
Breathing that is much faster than usual
Lips or face turning a blue color8
Nasal flaring
Flu
The flu is a serious respiratory infection caused by influenza A and influenza B viruses. It is highly contagious and can be especially dangerous for young children.9
Flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms. They include:10
Fever, usually high (can be 103 F/39.4 C to 105 F/40.5 C)
Headache
Body aches (may be severe)
Cough (often that gets worse)
Sore throat
Fatigue/tiredness (can be extreme)
Runny or stuffy nose
Nausea/vomiting
Diarrhea
If you suspect your child has the flu, call the pediatrician right away—some treatments such as antivirals work best or are only effective if given early.
Recap
It's perfectly normal for a child to have a minor illness that includes chest congestion several times a year. Taking care of a cold can prevent the illness from turning into bronchitis. If the cough doesn't get better within two weeks, a fever gets worse, or new symptoms develop, see your doctor.
If your child is also vomiting or has diarrhea, it's likely that you're looking at the flu and not a cold. Talk to your doctor about appropriate treatment that can help your child recover more quickly.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of childhood respiratory infection. Nearly all children contract an RSV infection by the age of 2 years old.
Most often, RSV infection is mild, but it can be serious for children who are immunocompromised and those with disorders that put them at risk for serious RSV infections.
RSV generally causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can cause more severe illnesses such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Approximately 58,000 children younger than 5 years old in the United States are treated in the hospital for RSV infections each year.
Symptoms of RSV include:11
Runny nose
Loss of appetite
Coughing
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing
If your child is at risk for RSV infection, your pediatrician may discuss Synagis (palivizumab) or Beyfortus (nirsevimab) with you.
Palivizumab is a shot that can help protect certain infants and children 2 years old and younger who are at high risk of serious complications from RSV.12 It's typically given once a month during the RSV season.
Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is approved for the prevention of RSV in newborns and babies born during or entering their first RSV season and in children up to 24 months who are at risk for severe RSV disease during their second RSV season. Beyfortus is a shot given once before or during the RSV season.13
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is an infection in the upper respiratory tract which spreads down into the windpipe and lungs. It's usually caused by RSV and results in swelling in the bronchioles (smaller airways) of the lungs, which blocks airflow in and out of the lungs.14
Most often, bronchiolitis occurs in winter and early spring, and it generally affects children under two years old.
Bronchiolitis likely looks like a common cold at first, but then the cough (and often other symptoms) get worse over time. It's important to see a doctor for a diagnosis, as the symptoms are similar to other conditions, especially in babies and young toddlers.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis include:
Runny nose
Congestion
Cough
Vomiting
Fever
Fast or hard breathing
Wheezing
Loss of appetite
Irritability
Contact your pediatrician or seek emergency care if your child:
Has trouble breathing
Turns blue in color (especially the lips and fingertips)
Is breathing very fast
Is not eating or drinking
Can’t keep fluids down
Croup
Croup is an infection in children that causes swelling in the upper part of the airway in the neck.15 It's usually seen in the winter.
Croup is most often caused by a virus, but can also be caused by bacteria, allergies, or reflux from the stomach.
Symptoms of croup are not universal, can change over time, and do not always occur at the same time. They usually last three to seven days and are often worse at night.
Symptoms of croup include:
“Barky” cough (“seal bark”)
Runny nose/congestion and slight cough
Laryngitis (“lost voice,” hoarse voice or cry)
Fever
Stridor (a high-pitched “creaking” or whistling sound when breathing in)
Croup can become an emergency situation if breathing difficulties become severe. Call 911 if your child is experiencing any of the following:
Has stridor that becomes louder with each breath
Has stridor while resting
Struggles to catch their breath
Has increased difficulty breathing
Is drooling, spitting, and/or has a hard time swallowing their saliva
Has a blue or dusky (greyish) color around the fingernails, mouth, or nose
Can’t speak or make sounds
Has lost consciousness and/or stopped breathing
You think it is an emergency
Recap
RSV, bronchiolitis, and croup are almost a rite of passage for toddlers. Each illness will usually result in a nasty sounding cough and chest congestion. Within a short time, most children recover from these infections, which are usually caused by a virus. However, all three can lead to more serious problems. Watch for any difficulty breathing, and contact your doctor immediately if your child seems to be struggling for breath.
Allergies
Allergies are especially common in children who have a family history of allergies, but any child can develop them.16
Children can have allergies to environmental triggers such as pollen, insect bites, or animals. Certain medications or foods such as peanuts or milk can also trigger allergic reactions.
A runny nose and nasal congestion from allergies can turn into chest congestion. Other symptoms of allergies in children include:
Itchy/watery eyes
Skin problems (rashes, eczema, hives, etc.)
Difficulty breathing/asthma
Sneezing
Coughing
Upset stomach
Ear problems (itching, pain, feeling blocked)
In severe cases, allergies can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which causes breathing impairment, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and possibly shock. This is a medical emergency requiring an immediate 911 call and injection of epinephrine (adrenaline), if available.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition that causes airways to narrow, swell, and sometimes produce extra mucus.
The most common symptom of asthma in children is a chronic cough. Asthma causes a build up of mucus in the lungs that results in chest congestion as well.
Children with asthma may also have a range of symptoms that include:17
Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing out
Shortness of breath or rapid breathing (may be worse when exercising)
Labored breathing that causes the skin around the ribs or neck to pull in tightly
Fatigue
Chest tightness
Difficulty feeding, or grunting while feeding (infants/young toddlers)
Trouble sleeping
Avoidance of physical and/or social activities
A sudden worsening of symptoms caused by the constriction of muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes, narrowing the airway, and making breathing very difficult is called an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are serious and potentially life threatening.
If your child has asthma, discuss with their healthcare provider what to do to prevent and manage asthma attacks, and call 911 during an attack if necessary.
Recap
Allergies and asthma symptoms are different than a virus or bacterial infection. Something triggers an allergic reaction or asthma attack. Symptoms include nasal congestion and a build up of lung mucus, which cause chest congestion. Learning how to avoid allergens and control asthma triggers is essential for making sure chest congestion clears up and doesn’t recur.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes the mucus in various organs to become thick and sticky, resulting in infections, inflammation, and problems with organ function.18 It can result in severe chest congestion.
Cystic fibrosis is present at birth. Newborns are routinely screened for the disease, and it's most often diagnosed before age 2.
Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include:
Coughing (persistent, at times with phlegm)
Very salty-tasting skin
Frequent lung infections (including pneumonia and/or bronchitis)
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Frequent greasy, bulky stools/difficulty with bowel movements
Poor growth/poor weight gain (despite having a good appetite)
Male infertility
When to See a Doctor
Whether a cough and/or chest congestion needs medical attention depends largely on the cause of the illness, the accompanying symptoms, the age of the child, the severity of the symptoms, and the duration of the symptoms.
Generally speaking, call your child’s doctor in cases where your child has:
Persistent cough for more than three weeks or non-stop coughing spells19
Trouble breathing/fast breathing
Coughing that makes your child unable to speak normally
Signs of dehydration (dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, sunken eyes, crying with little or no tears, urinating less often, or having fewer wet diapers)20
Ear or sinus pain
Ear drainage
Fever that lasts longer than three days, or returns after being gone for 24 hours or more21
Chest pain (even when not coughing)
Coughing that causes vomiting more than three times
More than three days off school/daycare
A runny nose for more than two weeks
Allergy symptoms
What Symptoms Indicate You Should Call 911?
Call 911 if your child:
Is having severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath, can barely speak or cry)
Has lost consciousness (passed out) and/or stopped breathing
Has a bluish tint to their lips or face when not coughing
You think your child has a serious or life-threatening emergency
Diagnosis
To determine if a child has chest congestion and what's causing their symptoms, your pediatrician may use a number of diagnostic tools.
Physical Exam
During an office or hospital visit, a healthcare provider is likely to do a physical examination. This might include:
Asking about symptoms
Asking about health history
Asking about family history
Listening to the child’s chest/breathing
Checking other areas, such as looking in ears and down the throat, feeling the abdomen, etc.
Imaging
Imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan, may be ordered to look at the lungs and check for congestion, foreign objects, or other areas of concern.
Lab Work
A healthcare provider may order various lab work including:
Blood tests to check for viruses, bacteria, blood cell counts, etc.
Nasopharyngeal swab (a swab of the nose and throat) to check for viruses such as RSV
Sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs) culture
Other Tests and Procedures
A pulse oximeter (a small, painless sensor on the finger or toe) may be used to check blood oxygen levels.
Allergy tests may be run to determine if symptoms are caused by an allergy. These sometimes involve:
Medical tests (such as skin and blood tests)
Elimination diets
Keeping a diary
Other measures to determine if there is an allergy and to what allergen
Tests to measure lung capacity and airflow may be ordered, particularly if asthma is suspected.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the symptoms and what is causing them. Your doctor can tailor treatment to your child’s needs.
In general, treatment for chest congestion and some of the conditions that cause it falls into two categories: medical treatment, and treatment that can be given to your child on your own at home.
At-Home Treatment
For mild illnesses, you can manage symptoms at home and work on keeping your child comfortable while they get better.
Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids.
Ensure your child gets lots of rest.
Use a cool-mist humidifier.
Use a nasal aspirator and saline (saltwater) spray or nose drops for a stuffy nose.
Sit with your child in a steamy bathroom for about 20 minutes at a time.
Prepare an asthma action plan to manage your child’s asthma.
Elevate your child’s head while sleeping and resting. Make sure to follow safe sleep guidelines for babies and toddlers.
For toddlers over a year old, offer half a teaspoon of honey as needed.
Sleep close to your child (in the same room) to listen for stridor.
Keep your child away from secondhand smoke.
Administer over-the-counter (OTC) medications for fever or pain such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Check with your child’s healthcare provider or pharmacist before giving medication. Never give aspirin to children.)
Can Children Take Cough Medicine?
Children under the age of 4 years should not be given cough or cold medicine, and children ages 4 to 6 years should only take the medicine if advised by a healthcare provider.
Children over age 6 can take cough and cold medicine according to the dosage guidelines, but it still isn’t recommended since the medicines aren’t very effective and may cause side effects.22
Medical Treatment
If your child isn't improving with at-home treatments, your doctor may prescribe some of the following.
Antibiotics (if the infection is bacterial)
Antivirals (for some viral infections such as the flu)
IV (intravenous) fluids to prevent dehydration if your child is having trouble taking in or keeping down fluids
Breathing treatments, extra oxygen, or in extreme cases a breathing machine
Steroid treatments (sometimes given for croup)
Other medications such as allergy or asthma medications as needed
Treatment for cystic fibrosis
Prophylaxis with palivizumab for premature babies and children at high risk of RSV
Summary
Chest congestion accompanied by a cough is related to a number of conditions. A cold, the most common cause of congestion, normally goes away within two weeks, but watch for signs that it's turned into something more serious, and be alert to symptoms that show you're dealing with something besides a cold. These may include:
Vomiting and diarrhea
High fever
Difficulty breathing
Symptoms triggered by seasonal or environmental factors
Symptoms triggered by weather or exercise
See a doctor for these and other serious symptoms or if home treatments such as OTC pain relievers, rest, and fluids are not helping your child get better. If your child is younger than 2 years of age, talk with your pediatrician about RSV prevention with palivizumab.
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American Academy of Pediatrics. Colds and related symptoms.
Shields MD, Thavagnanam S. The difficult coughing child: prolonged acute cough in children. Cough. 2013;9(1):11. doi:10.1186/1745-9974-9-11
American Lung Association. Chronic bronchitis.
National Library of Medicine. Acute Bronchitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chest cold (acute bronchitis).
World Health Organization. Pocket book of hospital care for children: guidelines for the management of common childhood illnesses. 2nd edition.
MedlinePlus. Blue discoloration of the skin.
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Influenza and Children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Symptoms and Complications.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms and Care of RSV.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Updated guidance: use of palivizumab prophylaxis to prevent hospitalization from severe respiratory syncytial virus infection during the 2022-2023 rsv season.
Food and Drug Administration. Beyfortus label.
National Library of Medicine. Pediatric Bronchiolitis.
Bjornson CL, Johnson DW. Croup in children. CMAJ. 2013 Oct 15;185(15):1317-23. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121645
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Children & allergies.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Childhood Asthma.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. About Cystic Fibrosis.
American Lung Association. Learn About Cough.
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American Academy of Pediatrics. Fever without Fear: Information for Parents.
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By Heather Jones
Heather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability, and feminism.
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