Upper Respiratory Infections
(Runny nose, nasal congestion)
A cold or UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION is a VIRAL infection of the nose and throat. The cold viruses are spread from one person to another by hand contact, coughing, and sneezing - NOT by cold air or drafts. Since there are up to 200 different cold viruses, most healthy children get at least 6 colds per year. Children in daycare could get up to 12 a year. The fever part of a cold usually lasts 3 days and all nose and throat symptoms should be gone by 10 to 14 days. A cough may last 2 to 3 weeks.
HELPFUL HINTS:
- Antihistamines are unnecessary unless the child has allergies
- Over-the-counter cold (decongestants) might relieve the symptoms. We do not recommend decongestants or cough suppresants for children under two years of age.
- Yellow to green nasal drainage is NORMAL during the second half of a cold
- For sore throats: cold drinks, popsicles, ice chips, and pain medications (Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen) are helpful
- For babies and toddlers, nasal saline drops or gel with a nasal aspirator, cool-moist air, and elevating the head of the child's bed may relieve discomfort
- Since the typical cold can last 10 to 14 days, it is not considered a SINUS INFECITON unless it has been at least 10 days and is now accompanied by headaches and/or all day thick nasal drainage, and/or a cough (a cough is usually the hallmark sign of SINUSITIS). For children with recurrent infections, this time frame may be shorter than 10 days.
SPECIAL NOTE:
- Antibiotics will not help the typical cold. Some heath care providers in an effort to please patients do use antibiotics prematurely. This is unnecessary and contributes to the overuse of antibiotics and can cause antibiotic resistance in future illnesses.
CALL IF ….
- The child complains of ear pain
- For babies and toddlers: waking up at night crying with difficulty returns to sleep and no feed well
- There has been a fever for longer than 3 days
- Symptoms are present for more than 10 days with an increasing cough
- For any wheezing, shortness of breath, or frequent coughing
Related Links
- Abdominal Pain
- Accident Prevention and Childproofing Your Home
- ADHD
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Asthma
- Bite: Animal or Human
- Blocked Tear Ducts
- Breath Holding Spells
- Bronchiollitis
- Chicken Pox
- Choking
- Colic
- Constipation
- Contact Dermatitis
- Cough
- Croup
- Dental Care and Flouride
- Diaper Rashes
- Diarrhea
- Diet
- Ear Infection
- Fever
- Fifth Disease
- Frostbite
- Headache
- Healthy Living
- Impetigo and Skin Infections
- Insect Bites
- Nosebleeds
- Ringworm
- Sunburn
- Swimmers Ear
- Teething
- Thrush
- Upper Respiratory Infections
- Vomiting