The infection can enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
It can spread by a cough or sneeze.
It can spread by direct contact (if a child wipes her runny nose and then
touches another child or even if she touches a toy that another child will
play with later).
How is it treated? Colds cannot be treated with antibiotics. Doctors can do very little to
treat a cold. Treatment is aimed at making the child more comfortable. The following
suggestions may help:
Give your child plenty of fluids.
If she feels tired, have her rest.
Chicken soup and other warm liquids often help children feel better.
Put a vaporizer near your child's bed to soothe her symptoms. Change the
water daily. Clean it weekly to prevent germs.
Your child and those around her should wash hands often, especially before
eating and preparing food.
Teach your child to cover her mouth and nose when she sneezes and coughs
to prevent the spread of germs. Have her wash her hands after coughing or
sneezing.
Treat your child's fever. Never give children
aspirin without talking to a doctor first.
Use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) for pain
and fever relief.
Children with a cold should avoid smoke. Parents should try not to smoke
around their children.
How long does it last?
Colds usually last 1 or 2 weeks.
Fever symptoms usually last 1 to 3 days.
Runny nose and sore throat may last 7 to 10 days.
Coughing may last 2 to 3 weeks.
Can it be prevented?
Taking vitamin C has not been shown to prevent colds but it may help symptoms
clear up sooner. Talk to your doctor before giving your child vitamins.
Your child and those around her should wash hands often to help prevent
the spread of infection.
Throw away tissues as soon as they are used.
When your child has a cold it is especially important to keep bathrooms
and the kitchen clean.
When choosing childcare, look for a place that is clean and has rules about
keeping children clean (such as washing hands before snack time).
As children get older and are exposed to more infections, their bodies become
better prepared to fight the infections. As your child gets older, you may
notice that she has fewer colds.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor if your child's cold lasts for more than 14 days.
Call the doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms:
Colds are an infection of the upper respiratory tract.
Colds are caused by a viral infection.
Children tend to get colds more often than adults do.
Symptoms can include sore throat, runny nose, coughing, fever, and headache.
Colds are contagious. They can be spread by coughing, sneezing, and direct
contact.
Colds cannot be treated with antibiotics. Treatment is aimed at making the
child more comfortable.
Colds usually last 1 or 2 weeks.
Your child and those around her should wash hands often to help prevent
the spread of infection.
Call the doctor if your child has unusual symptoms or if her cold lasts
for more than 14 days.
References
Canadian Pediatric Society. Common Cold. Caring for Kids. 1999 (cited 2002
February 13). URL: http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/whensick/CommonCold.htm
Columbia University College. Infections of the Upper Respiratory Tract.
(cited 2002 February 13). URL: http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/texts/guide/hmg18_0004.html
MayoClinic. Colds, coughs, and runny noses. 2001 December 21 (cited 2002
February 13). URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=CC00005
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