• The 'Common Cold' is caused by germs called viruses which are invisible in the air we breathe and on things we touch. The virus enters through the nose and throat. Preschool children have more colds (6-8 per year) than older children and adults because they have not built up immunity to the hundreds of cold viruses around us.
     
    Signs and Symptoms
    The first symptoms your child may have are a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing and a mild sore throat. Children may also have a headache, mild fever, muscle aches, feel tired and may not want to eat.Their runny nose may change from watery to thick yellow-green. Colds usually last 1-2 weeks.
     
    How Colds are Spread
    Because children touch their runny noses, put things in their mouth and touch other children during play, the cold germs are spread easily. Cold viruses can live on objects, toys and furniture, for several hours. Other children will touch these objects, pick up the cold virus on their hands and get infected when they touch their eyes, nose or mouth. The cold virus may also spread through the air to another child's nose or mouth when the sick child coughs or sneezes.
     
    cough illustration
     Preventing Colds: What Parents can do
    • Instruct your child to stay away from anyone who has a cold; the virus can travel up to 12 feet when someone sneezes or coughs.
    • Teach your child to wash their hands well after coughing, sneezing or wiping their nose.
    • Teach your child to cover their nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
    • Instruct your child not to use the same towels, or share a drinking glass or eating utensils as someone who has a cold.
    • Inform your child's teacher of their cold symptoms and ask the school nurse if it's appropriate for your child to attend school.

    Treating Colds: What can Parents do

    • There is no cure for the common cold, they usually go away on their own.
    • If your child doesn't want to eat, offer plenty of fluids (water, tea, juice diluted with water).
    • Talk to your Pediatrician first before you give any over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.to children under 12 years of age.
    • Use saline nose drops or saline nose spray if your child's nose is stuffed.
    • Using a cool mist humidifier can make it easier and more comfortable for your child to breathe when their nose is stuffed and they are mouth breathing.
    • To ease muscle aches, headache, sore throat or fever over 101°F use acetaminophen or ibuprofen based on the dose and schedule recommended on the package or your doctor.
    • Children can go to school and play outside if they feel well enough. However, if they have a fever or complications, they will need a few days of rest at home. 
    • Apply petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose to soothe rawness.

    Call the Doctor if

    • Symptoms get worse after 3 days or so, the problem could be an infection such as strep throat, bronchitis, pneumonia or sinusitis.
    • Symptoms last for more than 1 week, appear at the same time every year or occur when your child is exposed to pollen, dust, animals; an allergy could be the cause.
    • Any of these symptoms occur: shortness of breathe, unusual tiredness, coughing up a lot of mucous, unable to keep food or liquids down or poor fluid intake, increasing headache, severe painful sore throat that interferes with swallowing, fever of 103°F or higher that lasts for more than one day, chest or stomach pain, swollen glands in the neck or an earache.

    Remember colds just have to run their course. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest, avoids vigorous activities and drinks plenty of fluids which will help them feel better while on the mend.