What you see matters. We help you describe it.

Coughing

Coughing can be a sign of a respiratory infection, allergies, or asthma. Persistent or severe coughing may indicate a more serious condition like pneumonia or bronchitis.

• Is it dry, or does it sound wet — as if your child has secretions? (Children typically swallow rather than spit them out.)
• Does it occur in short bursts of 1–2 coughs, or long fits where the face may become flushed, ending with a gasp — and possibly vomiting?
• Does it sound like a seal barking? That’s a croupy cough.

Rapid Breathing

The normal breathing rate is highly age-dependent — faster in infants than in preschoolers — and to a lesser extent, state-dependent (quiet wakefulness, activity, sleep).

Noisy Breathing

Sounds like wheezing, stridor, or rattling can help identify airway issues such as asthma, croup, or bronchiolitis. Not all breathing sounds are wheeze.

• Wheeze — a high-pitched, whistling sound, typically during exhalation
• Stridor — a louder sound, typically during inhalation
• Raspy breathing — commonly reported in infants; may or may not be a true wheeze. Parents can often feel a purring sensation when placing a hand on an infant’s chest.

Difficulty Breathing

Labored or rapid breathing can signal lung infections, asthma attacks, or respiratory distress that may require urgent medical attention. Younger children rarely tell us they feel short of breath — caregivers must watch how their chest and belly move.

• The belly should jut outward when an infant inhales, while the chest should rise shortly after. This is normal.
• Watch for places where the chest gets sucked in — under the ribs, in the neck above the breastbone, or between the ribs.
• The more sucking you see, the more difficulty your child is having.

Vomiting & Diarrhea

Vomiting — A viral stomach bug usually causes sudden vomiting lasting 1–2 days, with the first 6–12 hours being most intense. Other causes include food poisoning, motion sickness, or excessive coughing. Contact your provider if vomiting continues beyond 24 hours or your child can’t keep fluids down.

Diarrhea — Common in babies and toddlers, usually caused by a viral infection. May last several days and often comes with fever or vomiting. The biggest concern is dehydration.

Fever

Fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. Tracking fever alongside other symptoms helps determine whether a virus or bacterium is causing the illness — which directly affects treatment decisions.

Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion can indicate a common cold, allergies, or a more significant respiratory infection — and affects both breathing and sleep quality. The color of mucus can also provide useful clinical information.

Rapid Heart Rate

A rapid heart rate may be caused by fever, dehydration, or respiratory distress — and helps doctors assess overall illness severity. Heart rate rises with fever and as breathing difficulty worsens, making it an important indicator of how sick your child actually is.