The Common Cold
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Caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and sinuses
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Most common in the Fall and Winter when people generally stay indoors and are in close contact with one another
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Colds are common in young children because they have not been able to build up an immunity to the infection yet. Therefore, it is possible and common for kids to get as many as 8-10 colds every year before they turn 2 years old, but as they get older, this number will decrease as they are building an immunity to the germ.
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Colds spread through direct and indirect contact:
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Direct: through touching, kissing, hand holding. Anything that involves contact with the nose, mouth, eyes or skin.
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Indirect: through touching an object ie a toy, doorknob or tissue that has been touched by the infected person.
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Signs & Symptoms:
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Runny/stuffed-up nose
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Sneezing
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Coughing
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Headache
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Sore throat
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Loss of appetite
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Fatigue
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and/or mild fever
Call a doctor if...
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Under 3 months of age: your child is finding it hard to breathe through a blocked nose and is therefore not eating, are vomiting or has a fever
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Children above 3 months of age: if you notice rapid breathing/difficulty to breathe, blue lips, coughing with choking or vomiting, swollen eyes, thick or coloured discharge from the nose for more than 10-14 days
How to take care of your child with a cold:
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Colds will typically last from 1-2 weeks
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Offer plenty of fluids with small, nutritious meals
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Monitor your child’s temperature and administer ibuprofen as needed for children over 6 months of age. NEVER give ASA (aspirin) to children as it can lead to brain and liver damage.
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Don’t give OTC cough and cold medicines to children under 6 unless the doctor has prescribed them
Preventing a cold:
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Hand washing at all times after contact with an infected person or when you are out in a public setting
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Teach child about covering their nose and moth when they sneeze and cough
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Avoid sharing toys between children if possible
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Immunize your child
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Keep sick children at home
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The Influenza (Flu) Virus differs from the common cold in that it is usually associated with a high fever, cough and body aches. It strikes more quickly then a cold and children usually have no energy to play and will be stuck in bed, where as with a cold children will still want to play.
Source: North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca