ABSTRACT
Sensorineural deafness is dealt with elsewhere in this book (see Chapter 10, page 144) and so will not be considered here.
A blocked and runny nose is a normal part of growing up, although in most children these symptoms are relatively infrequent and shortlived. A significant proportion have more persistent trouble and are often labelled ‘catarrhal’. Most of this group have no serious pathology, and the symptoms reflect a transient tendency to upper respiratory infections (often associated with starting to attend playgroups, nursery or school), a degree of nasal allergy, or prominence of the nasopharyngeal pad of lymphoid tissue (the adenoids).
