The childs age The child s age influences the prevalence and severity of infections It is in infancy that serious respiratory ilIness requiring hospital admission is the most common and the risk of death is great There is an increased frequency of infections when the child or older siblings start nursery or school. Repeated upper respiratory tract infections are rarely an indication of underlying diseaseThe child’s age ◼ The child’s age influences the prevalence and severity of infections. ◼ It is in infancy that serious respiratory illness requiring hospital admission is the most common and the risk of death is great. ◼ There is an increased frequency of infections when the child or older siblings start nursery or school. Repeated upper respiratory tract infections are rarely an indication of underlying disease