If She Catches a Cold

Colds in children

The 'common common cold' is acquired by viruses (germs) that infect the nose, throat and sinuses. Colds are near common in the autumn and winter when people are indoors and in close contact with each other.

It may seem like your kid has ane cold after another all winter. Young children oasis't congenital up immunity (defenses) to the more than 100 different cold viruses that are around. That'southward why they tin get as many every bit 8 to 10 colds each year before they plow two years quondam. Once you have had a common cold virus, you get immune to that specific germ. That'south why children go fewer colds as they get older.

How practice colds spread?

Children can catch colds from siblings, parents, other family unit members, playmates or caregivers. Germs unremarkably spread in 1 of 3 ways:

• Straight contact—such as kissing, touching or holding hands—with an infected person. If you have a virus, you will have germs in your nose, mouth, eyes and on your hands. By touching other people, you can pass on the virus.
• Indirect contact ways touching something—a toy, doorknob or a used tissue—that has been touched by an infected person and now has germs on it. Some germs, including those that cause colds and diarrhea, can stay on surfaces for many hours.
• Through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. Droplets from the cough or sneeze can reach some other person's nose or mouth.

How do I know if my kid has a cold?

Typical cold symptoms include:

• runny or stuffed-up nose,
• sneezing,
• coughing,
• headache,
• balmy sore pharynx,
• loss of appetite,
• fatigue (beingness tired), and
• mild fever.

The influenza (flu) virus causes loftier fever, cough and body aches. It strikes more quickly than a common cold and makes people feel worse. Children with colds commonly take energy to play and keep up their daily routines. Children with the flu are normally in bed.

When should I call my doctor?

Babies under three months of agecan discover it hard to exhale through a stuffed-up olfactory organ, which can make feeding hard. Call your dr. to make an appointment or take your babe to an emergency department if your baby:

• is having trouble breathing,
• is not eating or is vomiting, or
• has a fever (rectal temperature of 38.v°C or higher).

Some respiratory viruses that cause colds in older children and adults may crusade more serious illness in babies and toddlers. These illnesses include croup (hoarseness, noisy breathing, barking cough), pneumonia (lung infection), bronchiolitis (wheezing, trouble breathing), or sore optics, sore throat and neck gland swelling. Children with these weather condition need to be seen by a doctor.

Children of all ages should encounter a doctor if the cold seems to be causing more serious issues. Call your md or take your child to an emergency department if you notice your kid:

• is breathing rapidly or seems to be working difficult to breathe,
• has blue lips,
• is coughing so badly that they are choking or vomiting,
• wakes in the morning with one or both eyes stuck shut with dried yellow pus,
• is much sleepier than usual, doesn't want to feed or play, or is very fussy and cannot be comforted, or
• has thick or coloured (yellow, light-green) discharge from the nose for more than 10 to 14 days.

Call your doctor if your child shows any sign of a middle ear infection (ear pain, drainage from the ear), which can exist caused by a cold.

What can I do if my child has a cold?

There is no cure for the mutual cold. Colds ordinarily concluding about a week simply can keep for equally long as ii weeks. They usually get abroad on their own.

• Keep your child as comfortable as possible. Offer enough of fluids and small, nutritious meals.
• Cheque your child's temperature.
• To ease pain, aches or a fever, utilize acetaminophen. Ibuprofen may be used for children over 6 months erstwhile.
• Don't give acetylsalicylic acrid (ASA [eg, Aspirin])—or any medicine containing it—to children and teenagers with colds because it can lead to brain and liver impairment (Reye syndrome).
• If your baby or toddler is having trouble breastfeeding because of a stuffed-up olfactory organ, use a suction bulb to clear mucus from the olfactory organ. Apply tin can use saline olfactory organ drops or spray if the fungus is very thick.
• Don't requite over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines (which don't need a doctor's prescription) to children younger than 6 years oldunless your doctor prescribes them.
• Decongestants and antihistamines (medicine to clear nasal and sinus congestion) volition not help with coughing. Decongestants taken by mouth practice not work very well and can cause your kid to get a rapid heartbeat or to have trouble sleeping. Antihistamines practise not work for colds.
• Medicated nose drops or sprays provide only cursory relief and shouldn't be used for more than 2 to 3 days. They tin can actually make the congestion worse. Don't use these products in children under 6 years old.
• Cool mist humidifiers are not recommended considering of the take chances of contagion from bacteria and mold. If you practice use i, disinfect it daily. Hot water vaporizers are not recommended because of the run a risk of burns.
• Antibiotics will not help get rid of a cold. Antibiotics should be used only when children develop more serious illness caused by bacteria, such equally an ear infection or pneumonia.
• Children can continue their normal activities if they feel well plenty to practise so. If they have fever or complications, they may need a few days of residual at home. Your kid can go to school if they feel well enough to take part in the activities.
• Children with colds can nonetheless play outside.

How can I forestall a cold?

• Handwashing is the almost important way to reduce the spread of colds:
  • Wash your easily afterward coughing, sneezing or wiping your nose.
  • Launder your hands after existence in contact with someone who has a cold.
  • Wash your own easily and your child's easily after wiping their nose.
  • When h2o and soap are not bachelor, use pre-moistened hand wipes or booze-based mitt sanitizers. Proceed sanitizers out of your child's attain because they may be harmful if swallowed.
• Continue babies under 3 months sometime away from people with colds, if possible.
• Teach your children to cover their nose and oral cavity with tissues when they sneeze or cough, or to cough into their upper sleeve or elbow.
• Avoid sharing toys that immature children place in their mouths until they have been cleaned.
• Avert sharing cups, utensils or towels with others until they accept been cleaned.
• If your kid attends daycare, tell the caregiver well-nigh whatever symptoms and ask if your child should stay home that twenty-four hour period.
• Brand sure your child receives all of the recommended immunizations. While vaccines won't prevent colds, they will help prevent some of the complications, such as bacterial infections of the ears or lungs.

Reviewed by the following CPS committees

• Public Education Informational Committee

Last updated: August 2021

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Source: https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/colds_in_children

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