There's a reason it's called the common cold: almost everyone catches a cold at some point, often several times a year. Still, when it's your child sniffling and sneezing, it doesn't matter how common it is. You just want to know what this cold virus is doing and how you can help your child feel better.
About the Common Cold
A cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat, also known as the upper respiratory tract. According to MayoClinic.com, the common cold can be caused by over 100 different viruses, so your child's symptoms may vary from one cold to the next. The cold is the most common communicable illness in the United States, with children getting as many as eight in a single year.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a cold include sneezing; runny nose; nasal congestion, or stuffy nose; sore throat; coughing; headache; fatigue; muscle ache; and mild fever. Your child may have all of these symptoms or only a few. While your child has a cold, he may not have much appetite. If your child is catching a cold, you may notice he doesn't feel much like playing and just wants to lie around. Symptoms usually disappear in less than two weeks. If it's been longer than that and your child isn't feeling better, call the doctor to make sure it isn't something more serious.
Prevention
The cold virus is spread through tiny droplets that fly through the air when your child sneezes or coughs. It can also be spread through physical contact; if your child wipes her nose on her hand and then hands a toy to a friend, the other child may contract the cold if she touches her eyes, nose or mouth. The best way to prevent colds is by teaching your child to wash her hands thoroughly and often and to teach her good cold etiquette. Sneeze and cough into your elbow, not your hand, to prevent the spread of the virus through hand-to-hand contact. Always use a tissue to blow or wipe your nose and throw it away when you're done. Eating a healthful diet rich in immunity-boosting vitamins such as vitamin C may help as well.
Treatment
There is no cure for a cold. Because it's caused by a virus, antibiotics won't help. You can help relieve your child's symptoms, though. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve pain and fever associated with a cold. Saline sprays or nose drops can relieve stuffiness. Use a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air so that your child's nose doesn't feel so dry and uncomfortable. Offer cough drops or hard candy to children over 3 years to help ease sore throat pain; frozen fruit pops can also help with sore throats. If your child has a bad cough, try turning on the shower as hot as it can go and sitting with your child in the steamy bathroom. Don't let your child near the hot water in the shower, as it could cause burns. Offer plenty of clear liquids such as chicken broth or electrolyte drinks to help your child stay hydrated. And the old saying about chicken soup may well be true; it contains a compound that can thin mucous and may control cells that cause congestion. The main goal of treating a cold is to keep your child as comfortable as possible. With a few days of TLC, your child will be as good as new.
