A cold is a common illness that can be caused by a number of different viruses. Children and toddlers under the age of 6 typically experience an average of six to eight colds each year, explains UpToDate, a peer-reviewed health information website for patients. Talk with your pediatrician if you notice the appearance of cold symptoms in your toddler.
Nasal Congestion
The most common cold symptom in toddlers is nasal congestion. When a virus invades your toddler's body, her immune system responds by producing excess mucus to prevent the virus from getting into her lungs or bloodstream. Your toddler may frequently sniff or sneeze, causing excess nasal mucus to run from her nose. Nasal mucus caused by a cold can be clear, yellow or green in color and is typically thick or sticky. Your toddler's nose may appear red or inflamed, and nasal mucus can begin to dry or crust around the opening of her nostrils. Encourage your toddler to blow her nose to remove this congestion from her nasal passageways.
Fever
If your toddler has a cold, he can develop a fever during the first few days following infection. His body temperature may increase to around 100 to 102 degrees F, warn health professionals at Medline Plus, a medical website established by the National Institutes of Health. A fever may also lead to additional symptoms, including headache, chills, sweating or body aches. You may notice that your toddler frequently pulls at his hair because his head hurts or that he is not interested in playing outside or with his favorite toy. Fever symptoms typically subside on their own several days after the onset of symptoms.
Cough or Sore Throat
A cold virus can lead to throat irritation in some toddlers. You may notice that your toddler begins to cough or clear her throat frequently. She may also complain that her mouth or throat hurts. She may not want to eat at snack or meal time because of these cold symptoms.
Difficulty Sleeping
Nasal congestion, fever, cough or sore throat symptoms of a cold can contribute to sleeping difficulties in some toddlers. Your toddler may wake up frequently throughout the night because of breathing challenges caused by excess nasal congestion. Sleeping difficulties can also cause your toddler to become abnormally irritable or grumpy during the day. He can begin to cry or fuss when it is time to eat or take a nap. These cold symptoms will progressively subside as the virus is cleared from the body. Doctors at The Mayo Clinic advise you to contact your pediatrician if your toddler cries persistently, begins vomiting or develops ear pain, as such symptoms may be indicative of a more severe infection.
