Colds

Colds are very common in children, especially in winter. Cold symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and ears, cough and headache. There’s no treatment that can make colds go away more quickly. But paracetamol or ibuprofen, fluids and saline nose spray can help with symptoms. See your doctor if your child’s symptoms don’t improve, or if your child is very unwell. You can slow colds spreading if you wash hands and cover mouths when coughing.

Children and colds

The average preschool child has at least six colds a year. Sometimes, especially in winter, it might seem that your child is sick for weeks at a time, barely getting over one cold before getting another one.

Young children get a lot of colds because they haven’t had a chance to build up immunity to the many viruses that cause colds. As your child grows older, he’ll gradually build up immunity and get fewer colds.

Colds are also called upper respiratory tract infections.

Causes of colds

Most colds are caused by viruses. In fact, there are over 200 types of virus that can cause colds.

The viruses that cause colds are spread by sneezing, coughing and hand contact.

Cold symptoms

Symptoms vary from child to child, and from illness to illness.

You might see one or more of the following:

  • a stuffy or runny nose
  • sneezing
  • sore throat and ears
  • cough
  • headache
  • red eyes
  • swollen lymph glands
  • occasionally fever.

Often, your child will lose her appetite, and she might even feel sick or vomit. She might be miserable or irritable.

Cold symptoms usually last anywhere from a few days to a week or more. Your child will usually recover fully without any problems.

Very occasionally there are complications like ear infection, laryngitis or croup, or lower respiratory tract infections like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. These are relatively uncommon illnesses compared to the uncomplicated cold.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the symptoms of cold and flu apart. When people say they have the flu, they usually really have a cold. People with flu might have more muscle pain and chills and higher fevers.

Does your child need to see a doctor about colds?

Almost all colds get better by themselves.

But you should take your child to see the doctor if your child has one or more of the following symptoms. Your child:

  • won’t drink fluids
  • vomits frequently
  • is unusually tired or sleepy
  • has a fever that doesn’t improve in 48 hours
  • has a cough that lasts more than two weeks
  • has noisy breathing or wheezing.

You should call an ambulance or go to a hospital emergency department if your child:

  • complains of an intense headache
  • is pale and sleepy
  • is having increasing difficulty breathing, or is breathing faster or harder than normal
  • is younger than three months old and has a fever
  • has a rash that doesn’t disappear when you hold a glass pressed against the rash.

Also see your dctor if your child doesn’t seem better in 48 hours, or if you’re worried.

Tests for colds

Most children with colds don’t need any tests. Sometimes your doctor might do tests to rule out other conditions .

Cold treatment

There’s no cure for the common cold. There’s also no specific treatment that can make a cold go away more quickly. The best thing is to treat the symptoms.

Treatment starts with making sure your child is drinking enough so he doesn’t get dehydrated, especially if he has a fever. You might need to give your child smaller amounts of fluid, just more often. Here’s what to do:

Here are some other things you can do to ease your child’s symptoms:

  • If your child has a fever and is in pain or discomfort, give him paracetamol in the recommended dose and frequency. You can also give ibuprofen to children aged over three months.
  • Don’t pressure your child to eat. If your child isn’t hungry while she has a fever, that’s OK. Her appetite will come back as she starts to feel better.
  • Try giving your child saline nasal drops, which might help ease a blocked nose.
  • Encourage your child to take things easy, but there’s no need for him to stay in bed. Let your child decide how active he wants to be.
  • Note that there’s no need to stay away from dairy products – they don’t make extra mucus.

These medications are not recommended for colds unless your doctor says otherwise:

  • Cough medicines and Decongestants can cause side effects taht might be severe. 
  • Antibiotics: colds are usually caused by viruses, so antibiotics won’t help and can even cause stomach upsets and diarrhoea.

Preventing colds

  • Wash your hands with warm soapy water after sneezing, coughing and blowing noses, and before eating.
  • Cough into your elbow to avoid getting germs on your hands.
  • Don’t share drink bottles, cups and utensils with people who have colds.