As every parent knows, toddlers can get a lot of colds. The BabyCenter website says that most children average between 6 and 10 colds a year, mostly due to their immature immune systems. Symptoms of influenza viruses can sometimes mimic those of the common cold; knowing the difference can help you distinguish between common colds and more serious conditions. Keep Kids Healthy advises that your child should see a doctor if he has a high fever for more than 3 days, has trouble breathing or develops an ear infection.
Nasal Symptoms
Nasal stuffiness, or congestion, is one of the classic symptoms of a cold, as is the presence of a nasal discharge; these and other cold symptoms usually begin 1 to 5 days after exposure. According to the DrGreene website, one of the simplest ways to tell the difference between a cold and other illnesses--such as influenza--is that the common cold is centered in the nose. Colds usually start with a runny nose, in which the discharge, or mucus, is clear and watery. A few days later, the mucus can thicken and even turn gray or yellow-green. According to the BabyCenter website, this is a normal sign of a common cold, and not a reason for treatment with antibiotics. If the mucus remains clear and the discharge continues for more than a week, allergies may be to blame.
Sneezing and Coughing
Sneezing, the method by which the body ejects the virus from the nose, is a strong indicator of the common cold; sneezing, nose-blowing and nose-wiping are the means by which colds are spread. DrGreene points out that viruses are expelled from the lungs and throat by coughing. Prolonged and persistent coughing may indicate the condition is more than a common cold. Repeated bouts of sneezing by your toddler that continue for more than a week can point to allergies.
Fever
Adults and older children with colds usually have minimal fever or no fever at all, and allergies--which can have similar symptoms to the common cold--don't cause fever. However, a toddler will often run a temperature in the 100- to 102-degree range when he has a cold. If the fever is very high, and if your toddler is vomiting or has diarrhea, the illness is probably not a common cold. BabyCenter advises watching your toddler's behavior after the fever comes down. If the fever drops and the child is back to eating and playing almost normally, it's probably a cold. If the child still acts sick after his temperature drops, the illness is probably something other than a cold.
Throat Symptoms
An irritated, scratchy-feeling throat is usually the first sign of a cold, with sneezing and watery nasal discharge following close behind, often within hours. DrGreene points out that although your toddler may have an irritated throat, it should not look red; this often indicates an influenza virus instead.
Decreased Appetite
Both colds and influenza viruses cause decreased appetite. DrGreene advises that you should never force a child with a cold to eat, but you should encourage drinking ample amounts of liquids.
