Common Cold Symptoms in Children
Good question! All children get colds — also known as an upper respiratory infection (URI) — several times a year. A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, specifically the nose and throat. The most common cold symptoms include a runny nose, stuffy nose, and nasal congestion. The nasal drainage or “snot” may be clear, cloudy, yellow, or green. Fever, sore throat, cough, hoarse voice, watery eyes, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck are also associated with colds sometimes. It is common for children to get at least six colds per year. The average cold can last two weeks and there is no medicine that will cure the common cold or make it go away sooner.
When to take child to doctor for cold?
Most common colds in children can be treated at home with supportive care. However, here are a few situations in which you should definitely call your doctor or health care provider:
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Call 911 right away if your child has severe difficulty breathing — struggling for breath, is unable to speak or cry, is making grunting noises with each breath, or if breathing is very shallow or slow. These may be signs of respiratory distress and require immediate attention in the emergency department (ED).
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Go to the nearest emergency department if your newborn (less than 4 weeks old) has a fever of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher taken rectally.
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Call your primary care provider or pediatrician any time, day or night, if your 4-12 week old has a fever of 100.5°F or higher taken rectally, your child is not alert when awake, has a fever (at any age) of 105 degrees, or if your child has a weakened immune system and has cold flu symptoms (e.g., HIV, chemotherapy, organ transplant, etc.).
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Call during business hours for an urgent care appointment if your child has ear pain and fever, sinus pain for more than 24 hours, sore throat and fever are the main symptoms, has a fever for more than three days, or if the fever returns after going away for 24 hours.
If your sick child has an uncomplicated cold, you can care for them at home. If the nose is stuffy or runny, have your child blow their nose. For babies and toddlers, gently suction the nose with a suction bulb. Sometimes it helps to put a few drops of saline nose drops in the nostrils before suctioning. The saline may run out of the nose or make your child sneeze, which is completely fine. You can purchase saline nose drops over the counter or make your own at home: mix ½ teaspoon salt into eight ounces of warm water.
Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. This helps prevent dehydration, keeps secretions thin, and can help them feel better faster. Running a humidifier in your child’s room also supports the respiratory tract and may relieve cold flu symptoms.
Cold medicines are not recommended at any age for children. They are generally not helpful and may cause side effects. Antibiotics won’t help because colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria.
Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for child fever. Do not alternate them unless specifically directed by your healthcare provider. Children over six years old may use cough drops, and those over one year may take ½ to 1 teaspoon of honey or corn syrup for sore throat or cough — a safe home remedy.
Your child can return to daycare or school once the fever is gone and they feel well enough to take part in daily activities. Remember, it’s common for cold symptoms to linger — especially coughs — which can last for weeks.
To help prevent colds, wash hands often, especially after direct contact with someone who is sick. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also help during cold and flu season. Many viruses can cause colds, and they spread through the nose, mouth, and eyes. Teaching kids to cover their coughs and sneezes, and not to share utensils or drinks, can also reduce spread.
For more on pediatric care or if you think your child needs to be seen, don’t hesitate to call your child’s doctor, primary care provider, or reach out to Complete Children’s Health.
Source: Pediatric Telephone Protocols, 14th Edition. Barton Schmitt, MD