The Common Cold-What Is It And How To Treat Your Child

The common cold is the number one reason children miss school and see the doctor. Sniffles, sneezes, sore throat, and cough are something that our children will get. On the average, they will have around eight colds per year. More if they have a weaker immune system.

Therefore, what is the “common cold?� Most colds are caused from invisible droplets in the air we breathe or on items we touch. They are called rhinoviruses. The lining of the nose can only do so much to protect the nose and throat. More than 100 different viruses and get into the protective lining of the nose and throat and cause a cold. That triggers sore throats, headaches, and makes it hard for your child to breathe through their nose.

You may be surprised to learn that if the air is dry, either inside or out, it can lower your child's immune system to the viruses that cause common colds. Children who live in a home with a smoker are also quicker to catch a cold virus, and it usually lasts longer. Sometimes it will lead to pneumonia or bronchitis.

There are some “old wives tales� that tell you not to go outside with wet hair, don't sleep in a draft or under a fan, and not wearing a jacket or sweater will cause colds. Those are just not true. Viruses cause colds!

The first sign your child might be getting a cold is if they start complaining about a tickling in their throat. That usually leads to a runny, stuffy nose, sneezing, and a cough. Other symptoms kids will have when they have a cold are fever, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. The runny nose can turn from running clear and watery to being thick yellow or green.

Colds are contagious especially the first 2-4 days after the initial symptom appear. Your child can remain contagious for up to three weeks. The cold virus is spread through particles that are put in the air by sneezing or coughing, and by touching nose, mouth, or eyes after touching a contaminated surface.

Is there an effective way to prevent colds? There aren't any vaccines to protect our children from catching cold, so there are a few other tips that can help children stay healthier.

First, try to stay away from anyone who has a cold. Also, stay away from smokers. Secondhand smoke can make it easier for your child to get sick, and virus particles can travel up to 12 feet when someone coughs or sneezes.

Wash their hands frequently. Teach them to wash hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose into a tissue. Some preschools and schools are using waterless soap and disinfectant for use when a child has used a tissue. Speaking of tissues, tell your child not to pick up a used tissue!

Don't let your child use the same towel or someone else's eating utensils if they have a cold. Drinking from the same glass, bottle, or can is something else that they should learn not to do. They don't know if the person they are drinking or eating after is in the early or even the late stages of a cold. Either way, they could still be contagious.

Most colds clear up after a week; some can hang on for a couple of weeks. There isn't a cure for the common cold. For all the medical advances made in the last few years, it's still a mystery as to what will cure the cold. Medicine can't cure the cold. Beware of some over-the-counter medicines as they have side effects and never use them for a child under two without checking with their doctor.

Some easy and natural ways to ease the symptoms of your child's cold are:

Saline nose drops can be purchased at any pharmacy and they will help to relieve nasal congestion.

Use a cool air humidifier to increase moisture in the air.

Putting petroleum jelly under the nose will help to relieve the rawness from running and wiping the nose.

Give your child a warm bath to ease aches and pains.

Use steam from a hot shower to help your child breath easier.

Make sure your child eats when he is hungry and keep plenty of fluids handy. Caffeinated beverages shouldn't be given to a child that has a cold because it will increase the need to urinate and contribute to dehydration.