If your child has a tickly cough, it is most likely the result of an allergic reaction to an airborne substance. A common symptom of allergies in children is throat irritation that feels like a tickle in the back of the throat.

Shortness of breath, often described as suffocating or starving for air, is one of the most unpleasant sensations a person can experience. Mayo Clinic physicians list more than two dozen causes. In severe chest congestion, mucus plugs the air passages making it difficult for fresh air to get in.

The flu or influenza is an illness caused by a virus that affects the respiratory system. A 16-month-old toddler can get this virus from others who are infected as it is a contagious disease. Young children can develop complications from the flu that can be moderate to serious according to the Mayo Clinic.

The stomach flu which is called gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or from a condition such as lactose intolerance.

If your child has croup, she may not feel like eating or drinking. In croup, inflammation in the upper airway, which includes the larynx and trachea, makes breathing difficult. A child with severe croup can't eat at all and needs hospitalization. If your child has mild croup, it's important to keep her hydrated.

Anesthesia may worsen cold symptoms, and having a cold may increase the likelihood of developing breathing-related complications during or after anesthesia.

A wet cough is also called a productive cough because each cough produces mucus from the respiratory tract. Wet coughs are often seen in people who have asthma, bronchitis or other conditions that cause mucus and other fluids to settle in their lungs.

Sore throat is a common symptom of upper respiratory tract infections, such as a cold or the flu. It’s not uncommon to also have varying degrees of hoarseness or to completely lose your voice. Viral infections are the most common cause of hoarseness, or laryngitis.

Expectant mothers often worry about taking over-the-counter medications for fear of potentially causing harm to their developing baby. This may even include cough drops, which come in a variety of flavors and include a diverse range of ingredients.

Airborne diseases, caused by microorganisms called pathogens, are primarily dispersed through moist air droplets or dust. Using air as transportation, pathogens use your respiratory tract as a channel for both entrance and exit via breathing, coughing or sneezing.

Coughing is a reflex that occurs whenever your throat is irritated. It may occur after eating certain foods. Some digestive conditions, related to eating food, may trigger coughing and other symptoms.

Although a mother-to-be and her unborn child share many things during pregnancy, the common cold is not one of them. Common cold viruses typically pose no threat to a developing baby in the womb. Mother, however, is more prone to catch a cold during pregnancy, and symptoms are likely to last longer and be more intense.