Colds

Colds are caused by viruses, usually rhinoviruses, and are super contagious, especially in the first few days. They can spread through coughing, sneezing, or even touching a surface that has the virus on it.

You’ll often notice the first signs as a tickle in their throat, a runny nose, or sneezing. Your child might also feel tired and have a sore throat, cough, or mild fever. Sometimes, the mucus turns thick and changes color.

While colds usually clear up on their own in about a week, it’s important to watch for any signs that things might be getting worse, like a persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, or severe pain in the throat or head. These could indicate something more serious like strep throat or sinusitis, which might need different treatment.

For a fever, you can use a fever reducer like Tempra to help your child feel more comfortable. If your little one has a runny nose, over-the-counter saline drops like Nasal can be really helpful. For infants, you can place 2-3 drops in each nostril and then gently suction with a bulb syringe. Doing this before feedings and at bedtime can ease nasal congestion. You can also try raising the head of your child’s bed or crib slightly. This can make it easier for them to sleep.

When it comes to food and drink, let your child eat and drink whatever they want, and make sure they’re staying hydrated. Sometimes, using a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer can help. If it doesn’t seem to make a difference, though, you can stop using it.

If your child feels up to it, they can continue with their usual activities, but it might be best to take a break to avoid spreading the virus to others.

However, if your child seems to have difficulty breathing - like if they’re straining to get air in and out, breathing faster than 60 times per minute, or if you notice the skin between their ribs sinking in with each breath - call us right away. That’s something our pediatric specialists need to check out immediately.

If a cold isn’t getting better after two weeks, or if a fever of 101°F or higher sticks around for 3-4 days, or if the nasal discharge becomes thick, green, or yellow and lasts more than 10 days, it’s time for an office visit.

Remember, most colds just need time to run their course, and with some extra rest and care, your little one will be back to their energetic self soon.