When To Call Your Child's Doctor For A Cold That Won't Go Away

Most children are going to come in to contact with someone that will have a cold virus. Most children will have as many as eight colds a year. Tiny droplets in the air easily spread the cold bacteria after someone has coughed or sneezed. They will be exposed to cold bacteria everywhere they go, and if they are around smokers, they will probably have more colds.

A cold will usually need to run its course and there a few things that can help your child get over it quicker. Put a cool air vaporizer in their room, the drier their surroundings the worse they will feel. Saltwater drops can be used in the nose to relieve congestion. Steam from a hot shower can help your child to breathe easier. Cough drops or candy can help relieve the tickling in the throat. Of course, this would be for children over three years old. Chicken soup has been touted as the cure for the common cold but there isn't any medical research to prove it. It's been used as a cure for over 800 years. What we do know is that chicken soup contains an amino acid called cysteine, which thins mucus, and helps control the white cells that contribute to the congestion. If chicken soup makes them feel better, give it to them!

Don't give your child over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines. There is little evidence to prove these work and can cause side effect problems. They should never be given to a child under two without direct instructions from your child's doctor. They also don't need caffeinated drinks because that contributes to dehydration by causing them to urinate more often.

So when do you call your doctor? If your child gets worse instead of better after three or four days, it could be a sign of a more severe problem. Your doctor can make sure there is another problem such as ear infection, strep throat, or bronchitis instead of a common cold. A swab can be taken inside the throat to find out if the problem is strep throat.

Your child could also have an allergy if you notice cold symptoms that come at the same time of the year. If symptoms seem worse after being exposed to pollen, animals, or other particles that could cause an allergic reaction, you should see a doctor. If you notice they are having trouble breathing or wheezing when they breathe, they may have asthma. You should also call your doctor if they have any of the following symptoms.

Coughing up more mucus than normal

If they are having a hard time breathing

If they are complaining of an earache

Inability to keep food and liquids down

Chest or stomach pain

If their fever rises above 103 degrees Fahrenheit or stays above 101 degrees for more than a day

Unusual tiredness, refusal to play or smile

Swollen glands in the neck

Earache

A painful throat that makes it difficult to swallow

If your child has a cold that won't go away or experiences some of the above symptoms, contact their doctor. Their condition may call for an antibiotic to help them recover.

Most virus infections just need to run their course. You can help the healing process by making sure your child gets plenty of rest, drinks lots of fluids, is kept quiet and not allowed vigorous activity, and a warm bath to ease common aches and pains. These will help your child to feel better while their cold is getting better.

When your child begins to feel better, they may want to return to school or their regular activities. It probably won't make them any worse, but it can increase the chance the cold will be spread to the rest of their class and to friends.

When a child has a cold, it's hard both on them and their parents. Be assured that it will eventually pass and use this time to bond with your child and treat them to a little extra TLC. The doctor can be called if your care at home doesn't do the trick.