Colds

Runny or stuffy nose, sometimes with a fever, sore throat, cough, hoarse voice or swollen glands in the neck.

  • Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not cure viruses.
  • Colds are not caused by cold air, drafts, or swimming.
  • Some newborns sound stuffy on and off, but there is no nasal discharge.
  • They are having dried mucous developing in the nasal passage which can be cleared with salt water drops and bulb syringing.
  • Nasal discharge can be clear, white, yellow or green. It is often more colored in the mornings or after a nap.
  • Sometimes at the end of the cold, the discharge is more green. The color alone does not necessarily mean an infection that requires antibiotics.
  • Milk does not usually need to be eliminated with colds, unless allergies are being suspected.

INFECTIOUSNESS:

  • Transmission is by hand-to-hand contact, sneezing, coughing and the virus can persist on surfaces for many hours.
  • People are contagious a day or two before the onset of symptoms and for an average of  7 to 10 days.
  • As the cold progresses, contagiousness gradually decreases.
  • Shedding of the virus from nasal discharge may last as long as 2 or 3 weeks.
  • The incubation time is less than a week.
  • Most children get about six to ten colds per year.
  • The frequency is higher if the child is in daycare, has siblings in school or is around a lot of other children.
  • Most colds last 7 to 10 days. Fevers usually last less than 3 or 4 days. The cough is usually the last symptom to go away (sometimes up to 2 weeks).

COMPLICATIONS

  • Infants under about 4 months must breathe through their nose and sucking can become difficult with a cold. They may be at risk of becoming dehydrated.
  • If a child is chronically congested (more than two or three weeks), allergies or sinusitis may be present.
  • A foreign body placed in the nose may cause a one-sided foul smelling thick runny nose. Discuss these possibilities with your doctor if the runny nose is more than 10 to 14 days or if you suspect a foreign body in the nostril.

CALL DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY 

  • Breathing is difficult and does not improve with suctioning of the nose, especially in a young infant under 4 months
  • Is becoming dehydrated because of inability to feed or vomiting
  • See sections on fever, earache, cough if appropriate

CALL DURING NORMAL HOURS 

  • Nasal discharge is more than 10 to 14 days, especially, if the child appears to be getting worse
  • Skin under the nose becomes scabbed / crusted
  • Yellow eye discharge
  • Earache or very sore throat
  • Fever more than three days
  • Having difficulty eating because of stuffiness in infant under 4 months
  • Suspicion of a foreign body in the nose
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