The common cold (also known as an upper respiratory infection) begins to affect children after about 6 months of age. Some children have constant sniffles and frequent colds and most children average at least 5 colds a year, with younger children averaging more. Adults average about 4 colds per year. Cold viruses are spread between people by hand contact, coughing, and sneezing. Try to avoid exposure of young babies (under 1 year) to others with colds. There are other conditions that may have similar symptoms but that have no relation to infection. Chemical rhinitis is a dry stuffy nose from excessive use of vasoconstrictor nose drops or sprays. This improves after a couple of days without use. Allergies can occur in children over 3 years old with repetitive sneezing, a clear nasal discharge for 1 month or longer, and no fever. Vasomotor rhinitis is a very runny nose from breathing cold air, which clears after about 15 minutes of being indoors. Risk of getting a cold increases when exposed to cigarette smoke.

Symptoms may include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Possible fever (usually less than 3 days)
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Red eyes
• Swollen lymph glands in the neck
• Most symptoms are gone in 1 week, although a cough may last up to 3 weeks. Watch for secondary bacterial infections of the ear, eyes, sinuses, or lungs ( possibly causing pneumonia). Dehydration can occur in infants when a blocked nose interferes with sucking and feeding ability.

What your doctor can do:

• Diagnose the problem by asking about your child's symptoms and doing a physical exam.
• Laboratory blood tests or other tests may be done if there is reason to believe it may be something other than a cold virus.
  Treatment:
• Is aimed at relieving symptoms. Few factors affect how long a cold lasts. Since colds are caused by hundreds of different viruses, there is no vaccine for a cold and there is no cure.

What you can do:

• To relieve a stuffy nose: suction with a soft rubber suction bulb or blow the nose to remove secretions gently. It is important to clear an infant's nose before feedings and sleeping.
• For a dry nose, use warm-water nose drops with suctioning to remove dry mucus. Use warm tap water or saline (mix 1/4 tsp. salt in 8 ounces water and a clean dropper or a wet cotton ball. Place 3 drops of warm water in each nostril for one minute, then suction out any mucus. For older children, place 3 drops in each nostril while the child is lying on her back with her head hanging over the side of the furniture. Wait 1 minute, and then have her blow her nose. You may repeat as needed for congestion.
• If only minimal relief is obtained with warm-water drops, use non-prescription vasoconstrictor nose drops or spray. Use Neo-synephrine drops every 2-3 hours for age 6 months to 2 years. For age 2-6 years, use pediatric-strength long-acting nose drops every 8-12 hours. Over age 6, use adult-strength every 8-12 hours. Repeat use ONLY if congestion recurs and the child is uncomfortable. Avoid using vasoconstrictor drops/sprays for more than 5 days. Be sure to wait for 2 days without use if you decide to reuse them. The reason for this is that rebound congestion can occur if used too frequently or for too long.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be given for aches or fever over 102 F. Avoid giving a child aspirin or ibuprofen while he has a viral infection. There has been a relationship in (rare) cases between these medicines, viral infections, and Reye's Syndrome, a serious disease.
• Hard candy or saltwater gargles may help relieve sore throat.
• Cough drops or corn syrup can be given for cough.
• Use a humidifier, especially in the child's bedroom. Be sure to clean it daily.
• For red eyes, rinse frequently with wet cotton balls.
• Encourage plenty of fluids.
• Avoid using leftover antibiotics for colds because they have no effect on viruses.

What you can expect:

• Most colds last about 10 days. Complications include ear infections, worsening of asthma, or pneumonia.

Contact your doctor if fever lasts over 3 days, discharge lasts over 10 days, discharge turns thick yellow for more than 24 hours, skin under the nose becomes raw or scabbed, yellow eye discharge is present, earache or sinus pain occur, sore throat occurs, you are unable to unblock the nose enough for an infant to take adequate fluids, or symptoms are getting worse.

Call 9-1-1 if your child has difficulty breathing (after clearing nose), or is acting very sick.

Contact Lake Area Pediatrics at
(936) 582-5620