When a child catches a cold, it can be a time of worry for any parent. While most colds can be managed at home, when symptoms persist or worsen it’s important to know when to schedule sick care visits for children. By understanding the common signs and symptoms of a cold, you can help your child feel better and recover more quickly.
Top Ways to Treat Common Cold Symptoms
Most cold symptoms are a result of viral infections. The goal is to manage symptoms. Below are some tips to manage symptoms.
Rest – Getting enough rest when your body is trying to fight off an infection is key to recovery from a cold.
Fluids – It is best to avoid high sugar drinks. Consider water with lemon, soups with broth, ice chips/ice pops, plain water.
Pain or fever reducer – Ibuprofen or Tylenol (No Ibuprofen under 6 months of age). -No aspirin-containing products under 19 years of age -Be careful to monitor the ingredients of over-the-counter medications to ensure not overdosing on one particular medication.
Saline nasal spray – Suction as needed or encourage blowing of the nose with older children. Suctioning too often may result in swelling of nasal passages from trauma.
Handwashing – Washing your hands after you cough or sneeze can help prevent the spread of germs while sick.
Cover your cough – Covering your mouth when you cough keeps your germs more intact than letting them fly all over.
De-stress – Stress, in general, can be very negative for the body, but when you are sick, keeping stress to a minimum will help you heal faster.
Taking care of your child in these ways is often enough to manage symptoms and start on the path to recovery. However, pay attention to the signs your toddler may need a flu pediatrician visit if there’s no indication the symptoms are improving.
Common Cold Symptoms That Require Staying Home from School
Consider keeping your child home from school if (s)he is too sick to be comfortable at school or (s)he may spread a contagious disease to other children. As a general rule, children should remain home from school if:
- Fever – temperature greater than 100.4. May return to school once fever has resolved for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications (ibuprofen or Tylenol)
- Vomiting or diarrhea (unusually frequent and watery stools). May return to school once vomiting and diarrhea have resolved for 24 hours.
- Frequent cough – A child may go to school with a mild cough, but if becoming more frequent, consider staying home. A worsening cough may indicate worsening infection or can be very disruptive to your child and their peers’ learning.
- Significant pain (ex. ear, stomach)
- Widespread rash – Rash does not exclude a child from going to school as many viral rashes appear after the point of being considered contagious. However, widespread rashes should be evaluated by your healthcare provider to ensure it is not infectious.
- Strep throat – Children diagnosed with strep throat should remain at home until on antibiotics for 24 hours and fever free without fever reducers for 24 hours.
- Pink Eye – Children diagnosed with pink eye should remain at home until antibiotic eye drops have been used for 24 hours.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider Due to Common Cold Symptoms
Most illnesses are caused by viruses and may be cared for at home by treating symptoms; however, there are times it is best to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
- Fever (temperature >100.4)– Not all fevers require evaluation by your healthcare provider, but consideration should be made if:
- Barky “croup” cough, particularly in infants and toddlers
- Sore throat with fever, enlarged lymph nodes, without cough, or a known strep exposure
- No improvement in symptoms after 10-14 days.
- Worsening of cough, congestion, facial pain after a few days of illness – especially if fever is present
- Ear pain
When to Go to the Emergency Room Because of Cold Symptoms
The Emergency department should be used for people that are very sick. Mild illnesses can be managed by your primary care office. Below are the reasons to be evaluated.
- Fever (rectal temperature >100.4) in children less than 12 weeks of age
- Moderate to severe increased work of breath or any difficulty breathing (fast breathing/trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, ribs pulling in with each breath, chest pain) when unable to be seen soon in primary care office.
- Stridor – high pitched sound when taking a breath in
- Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
- Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
- Not alert or interacting when awake OR unusual drowsiness
- Seizures or other neurologic symptoms
- Worsening chronic medical conditions
Why Self-Care Matters for Parents of Sick Children
It is very stressful when your child is not feeling well. Increased fussiness requiring your attention, care to manage symptoms, and sleepless nights may leave you exhausted. Try to take a little time for self-care to keep yourself feeling well and minimize your risk of becoming sick too.
While it might be difficult, try to take moments during the day to relax, stay nourished and hydrated, get some fresh air and even take a nap if possible. The support of friends and family members can be vital when your child is sick, as any help you receive can reduce the burden. Of course, if you are ever concerned by your child’s symptoms, you can reach us through our pediatric telemedicine service or sick care appointments.
Comprehensive Sick Care Visits in Cumming
If your child has the common cold or another illness, reach out to contact the team at Vickery Pediatrics. We treat children of all ages in Cumming, Buford, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Forsyth County and the surrounding areas. Call (678) 990-2501 or request an appointment now.
