Common colds are caused by viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract. Infants and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to common colds because they have immature immune systems. Children can suffer from as many as seven colds during their first year and up to 10 colds their second year. While there is no cure for the common cold, you can take several steps to ease the discomfort of your infant or toddler.
Causes
The coronavirus and rhinovirus primarily cause common colds in infants and toddlers, according to MayoClinic.com. Cold germs are released into the air when a sick person talks, sneezes or coughs. Some of the germs can land on toys, counters, doorknobs and other surfaces where they can survive for up to two hours. Babies and toddlers like to explore the world around them by touching objects. They often get cold germs on their hands and then transfer them to their bodies when they put their fingers in their mouths or rub their eyes.
Symptoms
Typical signs of a common cold include a runny nose or nasal congestion. The nasal discharge often starts off clear and runny but turns green or yellow and thickens as the cold runs its course. Other symptoms of a common cold in toddlers and babies include sneezing, coughing, irritability, difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite. Some little ones also run a low-grade fever.
Calling the Doctor
Infants younger than 3 months need to see the doctor as soon as you notice cold symptoms. With newborn babies, common colds quickly can turn into more serious health problems, such as pneumonia or croup. In children older than 3 months, call your pediatrician if your child runs a fever of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, develops yellow discharge in the eyes or seems to have ear pain. MayoClinic.com urges you to seek immediate medical help if your child turns blue around the mouth or lips, develops breathing difficulties or coughs up sputum tinged with blood.
Treatment
Keep the air in your child's room moist with a cool-mist humidifier to ease nasal passages. Make sure your infant or toddler gets plenty of fluids and a lot of rest. Get rid of thick mucus by suctioning the mucus from your child's nose with a rubber bulb syringe or using over-the-counter saline drops. Put a little dab of petroleum jelly underneath your toddler's nose if the skin turns red and raw. Keep your child home until the cold runs its course to avoid spreading the virus to other kids. According to "Pediatrics & Child Health," colds typically last for about seven days, but children can be contagious for as long as three weeks.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com warns you not to use any over-the-counter cold medications on young children. If your toddler has a low-grade fever, carefully follow the dosage instructions on fever-reducing medications designed for kids. Protect your infant or toddler from common colds by avoiding sick people. Teach your toddler how to wash her hands properly after blowing her nose and coughing. Make sure that people wash their hands before picking up your baby.
