Nasal congestion in children

When to seek medical advice

Seek immediate medical care if your child has nasal congestion accompanied by:

A fever in a child younger than 3 months
Fever that lasts more than five days in a row
Chills or sweating
Difficulty breathing
Nausea or vomiting
Greenish or bloody nasal discharge
Unusual sleepiness
Severe headache
Persistent crying
Ear pain

Find possible causes of nasal congestion in children based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your child's symptom.

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Nasal congestion in children

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