Symptoms and Remedies for Colds in Children

The common cold is among the illnesses most often experienced by children – and yes, for children of all ages. With an immune system that is still developing, young children are particularly susceptible to viruses and may require sick care visits for check-ups and treatment. At Vickery Pediatrics in Cumming, our pediatricians help children suffering from the symptoms of colds, identifying appropriate remedies for both mild and moderate infections. If you are concerned about your child’s health, it is very helpful to learn the signs of a cold and the subsequent steps to take.

What Is a Cold?

A cold is an infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. Colds are caused by a virus and it is easy to pass a cold from one person to another. A child may have as many as six to 10 or more colds a year – most clustered in the winter months.

Since a virus causes a cold, there is no medicine that can cure a cold. Antibiotics do not help and could do harm. A cold usually goes away on its own in 7 to 10 days. A cough may last 2 to 3 weeks.

Drafts and air conditioning do not cause colds.  Good hand-washing practices are your best way of preventing virus exposure

Common Cold Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the virus. Your child may have one or several of the following:

• Being tired
• Aches and pains
• A runny or congested nose
• A sore throat
• Weepy eyes
• A cough
• Fever (temperature over 100.4 F)
• Vomiting and loose stools (more likely in small children)

What You Can Do for Your Child If They Have a Cold

• Give lots of cool, clear liquids so that he does not get dehydrated
• Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever. Follow the directions on the box carefully
• Keep him at home until the fever is gone
• Treat your baby’s stuffy nose with salt-water drops and a bulb syringe
• Antihistamines and cold medicines should not be used for children under 6 years of age without consultation with the doctor
• Coughing clears your child’s chest and helps prevent pneumonia. Do not use cough medicine for all colds. Talk to the doctor before using any over-the-counter remedies for your child.

Signs It’s Time to Call the Doctor Because of a Cold

Call 911 Right Away if Your Child:

• Is so lethargic that he hardly responds to you
• Is working very hard to breathe or finds it hard to take a breath
• Has chest retractions (skin pulling in around the ribs and chest when breathing)
• Grunts when he breathes
• Has a blue or dark purple color to the nail beds, lips or gums
• Stops breathing for more than 5 seconds
• Cannot speak while trying to breathe

Call Your Doctor When:

• Your child has persistent irritability but is still responsive
• Your child wheezes or breathes harder than he did when he was seen by the doctor
• Your baby is unable to breathe and suck at the same time or chokes when he sucks
• Your child has fast, shallow breathing
• Your child has a tight feeling in the chest
• He does not smile or play for even a few minutes every four hours
• You see signs of dehydration:
  • No urine for six to eight hours in an infant younger than one-year-old
  • No urine in more than eight hours in a child older than one-year-old
  • No tears when crying
  • Sunken eyes
  • Dry lips and mouth, pulls at his ears or show signs of ear pain
• You see bloody saliva, phlegm or mucus
• Your child is not better or has a feeling of tiredness and weakness after three days
• You have any questions or concerns about how your child looks or feels

Helpful Links

American Academy of Pediatrics (Children and Colds)
American Academy of Pediatrics (Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?)

Pediatric Cold Treatments for Children in the Cumming Area

At Vickery Pediatrics, we offer reliable treatments for colds and other common viruses. We are available to treat children in locations including Cumming, Buford, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and Forsyth County. Call (678) 990-2501 or request an appointment now.