Respiratory illnesses can include a variety of problems, including colds, flu, runny noses, coughs, and sore throats. Some children may also have chronic illnesses that affect the breathing system, including asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF).
Nearly 30,000 people in the US are currently affected by CF, and about 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
About 16.4 million adults and 7 million children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with asthma.
Most children will develop at least six to ten colds, or other respiratory illness a year. This number may even be higher in children who attend daycare.
Adults get colds, on average, two to four times a year.