The common cold is viral infection of the respiratory system. DrGreene.com points out that child are more likely to have colds than any other type of illness. Babies' immune systems are still developing after birth, making them more susceptible to picking up colds and having little immunity to them.
Nasal Symptoms
DrGreene.com notes that the symptoms of the common cold are from the body attempting to get rid of the virus and protect itself. An infant will sneeze and have a runny nose. Nasal drainage can begin clear, reports the Mayo Clinic, but then it may become thicker and change to yellow or green. When nasal congestion occurs, the infant may struggle to eat because it's hard to breathe.
Coughing
An infant with a cold will develop a cough as her body attempts to remove the virus from the lungs and throat. Hoarseness and a sore throat can also develop in infants from the persistent cough.
Digestive Symptoms
In some cases, the cold can cause an infant to develop vomiting or diarrhea. The DrGreene website suggests this is another attempt at removing the virus from the body.
Fever
An elevated body temperature is common with some viral infections. An infant should receive medical attention if the body temperature goes over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The Mayo Clinic suggests that a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit is common with a cold.
Behavioral Symptoms
An infant will be more irritable due to feeling poorly. Babies may refuse to eat or seem to have a smaller appetite. Waking throughout the night is a common side effect of infants with cold symptoms, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
