Colds

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers are highly susceptible to colds. On average, a child may have three to eight colds a year. For unknown reasons, some children are more prone to getting colds than others. Among all children, however, the frequency of colds usually decreases with age. Children in day care tend to bring home more colds than those who are not cared for in group settings, but this early exposure to many cold viruses makes them less vulnerable once they reach school age.

WHAT CAUSES COLDS?
Colds are caused by viruses that are transmitted through droplets released into the air in sneezing or coughing. They can also be spread through touch. Cold viruses can live on objects such as toys, door knobs and dishes for up to 72 hours. During this time, they pass from the surface of an infected object or the hand of an infected child to the hand of a healthy youngster. When the healthy child rubs his nose or eyes, the virus enters the body. Within two to four days, it can spread throughout the upper airways, causing a runny nose, a scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing and burning eyes.

Cold symptoms usually last for three or four days, or until the inner lining of the nose sheds the virus. They may, however, persist for up to ten days. Occasionally a runny nose and cough may linger for weeks.

HOW CAN I TELL COLDS FROM OTHER ILLNESSES?
The signs and symptoms of colds closely resemble those of many other disorders. Symptoms of influenza are similar but more severe. Allergies may also cause a runny nose, but they do not produce a fever and are often associated with constant and consistent bouts of sneezing. A nasal discharge may occur when a foreign body is lodged in the nose, but in these cases the discharge is likely to be bloody and foul-smelling. Bacterial infections such as strep throat tend to strike more suddenly and make children sicker than colds do.

IS MEDICAL ATTENTION NECESSARY?
Most colds can be handled at home. Medical attention is necessary only if signs and symptoms of complications develop. Possible complications of colds include middle ear infections, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Some children with asthma tend to have attacks in conjunction with colds, which also may necessitate medical attention.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
More than 100 different cold medications are on the market, but their effectiveness is limited and they may not be safe for children. Check with the doctor before giving a child any cold remedy. In some cases, he will recommend an expectorant (a cough medicine that loosens mucus in the chest) or a decongestant for use at bedtime. In general, though, the best bet is to tough it out, since the side effects of medications can be worse than the cold itself.

PREVENTING COLDS
The best way to protect a child from catching more than his share of colds is to encourage frequent handwashing, discourage eye and nose rubbing and regularly wipe down toys and surfaces with a disinfectant solution.

CARING FOR A CHILD WITH A COLD

• Since dry air can make the symptoms worse, maintain high humidity in the house or near the child's bed.

• Elevate the child's head by moving the head of the crib mattress up a notch or providing extra pillows. (Use pillows only for older children.)

• Do not give cough-suppressing medications unless the doctor prescribes them; coughing clears the airways and prevents further infection.

• Give acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Datril, Panadol and other brands) if the child has an oral temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Never use decongestant nasal sprays for more than three or four days—after initial relief, they may have a rebound effect and cause worse congestion.

GETTING HELP
Call your doctor if:

• A cold lasts longer than three or four days

• Your child complains of ear pain, which may suggest an ear infection

• There is a change in the nature of the cough, which may suggest a more serious infection of the airways

• There is a sudden elevation in the child's temperature

• Breathing becomes abnormally shallow and rapid

Excerpt from THE DISNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BABY & CHILD CARE, © 1995 DSH Communications, Inc. This material is based on current medical research and, to the best of the editors' knowledge and understanding, is accurate and valid. However the reader should not use information contained in this material to alter a medically prescribed regimen or as a form of self-treatment, without seeking the advice of a licensed physician.