According to Children's Hospital Boston, the common cold is the result of various types of viruses, including rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. A cold is also known as an upper respiratory infection. The Boston Children's Hospital indicates that infants may have between 6 and 10 colds per year. Although the symptoms of a cold may make an infant uncomfortable, the illness is relatively harmless.
Initial Symptoms
Infants develop a cold just like any other individual. The first symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, include a congested or runny nose accompanied by nasal discharge that is clear and progresses to yellow or green. Infants may have more difficulty breathing due to the nasal blockage.
Progressive Symptoms
Other symptoms of a cold in an infant, according to Children's Hospital Boston, include fussiness, the inability to sleep, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. The Mayo Clinic points to other symptoms, including a low-grade fever around 100 degrees F, coughing and/or reduced appetite.
Complications
According to the Mayo Clinic, an infant cold should resolve within 7 to 10 days without much treatment. Babies who are younger than two or three months may need to visit the doctor at the first sign of illness, the Mayo Clinic warns. A common cold may progress to croup, pneumonia or other serious illnesses. It may be difficult for the baby to feed, and she may become dehydrated if the issue is not addressed.
