What is a cold?
A cold is an infection of the nose and throat, caused by a virus. A cold is also called a viral upper respiratory infection. Many different viruses, up to 200, can cause a cold. In any given year, a child is likely to get six to 12 colds. Having many colds does not mean your child has a weak immune system. Over the years, repeated exposure to different viruses helps your child to develop immunity to them. As your child gets older, they tend to get sick less often.
Signs and symptoms of colds
Symptoms of a cold may include the following:
- runny or stuffy nose
- sneezing
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- red eyes
Most colds last for about one week, but some can last longer. The cough may linger. It may last up to three weeks.
Your child may have a fever with the cold. A fever usually happens at the beginning of the cold, and lasts for three to five days.
Colds spread by contact with other people who have colds
You can get a cold if a person with a cold coughs, sneezes or does not wash their hands. Droplets from a cough or sneeze may reach your nose or mouth. You can also get a cold by touching a surface that has germs on it. Colds are not caused by cold air or drafts. Children catch colds from family members, playmates and caregivers. Children who go to daycare or who have siblings tend to get more colds.
Taking care of your child with a cold
You cannot make a cold go away faster. During the illness, try to keep your child as comfortable as possible, and offer lots of fluids to drink.
Treatment for a runny nose or congestion
You can put some saline (salt water) drops into your baby's nose to help loosen the mucus. These drops are available over-the-counter at a pharmacy. You can use two to three drops of saline in each nostril several times daily. You can do this more often if your child needs it, especially before feeding and before sleep.
After the saline drops, you can remove mucus from the nostrils by using a soft rubber suction bulb or nasal aspirator. This is helpful for young babies because they need to breathe through their nose while feeding. When the nose is blocked, the baby cannot feed well. A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier in your child's bedroom can sometimes help loosen the mucus.
Treatment for fever
If your child has fever and is uncomfortable, you can give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Treatment for cough
For most children, the cough is just a symptom of the cold. You can do nothing to make the cough go away faster. The cough will get better as the cold virus runs its course.
Children over 12 months old can take 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of pasteurized honey as needed to ease a cough. Do not give honey to babies under 12 months. Over-the-counter and prescription cold medicines do not make the illness go away faster. Cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under six years of age. They can cause unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, trouble falling asleep and rapid heart rate.
Sometimes a severe cough can be a sign of a complication, such as a chest infection or asthma. Your doctor can listen to your child's chest to decide if your child is having a complication.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics have no effect on cold viruses. Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics can also cause side effects such as diarrhea, nausea or rash.
Preventing colds
Washing hands is the most important way to reduce the spread of colds. Wash your hands and your child's hands often. Wash after coughing, sneezing, wiping the nose or coming into contact with someone who has a cold. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Some viruses that cause a cold, such as RSV, influenza and COVID-19 can be prevented with vaccination. Speak to your health-care provider to see if your child is eligible for any of these specific vaccinations.
Colds can cause complications
Most of the time, colds are not serious. However, your child may get a bacterial infection because of the cold. Bacterial infections include ear, throat, sinus and chest infections. Signs of these can include pain in the affected area, ongoing high fevers or trouble breathing.
Children can also have trouble breathing if the cold virus triggers wheezing or asthma.
Complications from colds happen more often in babies. Try to keep babies less than three months old away from children and adults with colds and other infectious illnesses.
When to see a doctor
Call your child's doctor if:
- Your child is younger than three months old.
- Your child gets a fever several days after the start of a cold.
- Your child's fever lasts more than five days.
- A yellow discharge develops in your child's eyes.
- Your baby cannot drink enough fluid because their nose is too stuffy.
- Your child has chest pain.
- Your child has ear pain or fluid draining from the ear.
- Your child has a very sore throat.
Go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 911 if:
- Your child seems lethargic (very sleepy) or irritable (cranky).
- Your child is having trouble breathing.
- Your child's lips look blue.
- Your child has a painful or stiff neck or a severe headache.
- Your child is dehydrated and not peeing.
Your child may show physical changes when their condition is serious or when their condition gets worse. Parents and caregivers can learn how to spot these signs in order to seek help from a health-care provider.