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CATCHING  COLDS

 

Children frequently get colds. In fact, some children have up to 10 colds a year, mainly during the autumn and winter months.

 

·        Colds are caused by over 200 different viruses. Every time a child catches a cold virus, she develops resistance to that particular type. 

·        Children often catch a cold and then infect the rest of the family. Cold viruses spread in tiny droplets in the air, usually when a person coughs or sneezes, and pass quickly around schools and nurseries. 

·        Children are most at risk of recurrent colds if they are regularly exposed to smoky environments, are under stress or have enlarged adenoids (which lie at the back of the nose and form part of a child's natural defense against germs).

 

Children are more prone to colds than adults because their immune systems are not yet mature. Colds are most common in the winter more time is spent indoors, which helps the virus to spread.

 

Symptoms

 

Colds rarely last for more than a week. The symptoms vary but include:

 

• A runny or blocked nose
• Watery eyes
•  Sneezing
• A sore throat
• A slight fever
• Occasional vomiting
• Occasionally, a headache or a cough

NOTE: if a cold starts very suddenly, with a high temperature, shivering and general aches and pains, your child may have flu, which can be much more severe than a cold and may need medical supervision.

 

When to call the doctor

 

Consult your  doctor  if your child has any of the following symptoms:

·        A persistent or hacking cough or wheeziness

·        Earache (a younger child may simply pull at the affected ear)

·        Difficult, fast or noisy breathing

·         Drowsiness (it may be harder to wake your child than usual)

·        A temperature over 39°C (102°F) for more than 12 hours or a lower fever for 48 hours or more

·        Persistent vomiting or diarrhea

·        A severe sore throat causing swallowing difficulties or a refusal to eat. Dislike of bright light

·        Neck pain

·        A rash

 

Over-the-counter remedies

 

If your child has mild symptoms, it isn't worth making an appointment to see your doctor.  A doctor won't prescribe antibiotics for a cold, as these medicines only work against bacteria, not viruses. Instead, you can buy children's cold remedies over the counter from pharmacies.

 

There is a range of medicines available to treat colds. A pharmacist can recommend a suitable medicine for your child's age group and symptoms.

 

• Junior paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to bring down a high temperature and soothe a sore throat (aspirin isn't suitable for children). You can also buy glycerin, lemon and honey syrup to soothe your child's sore throat. 
• If your child has a blocked nose, she may find it difficult to breathe or eat. A pharmacist can recommend a suitable decongestant, such as junior syrup or nasal drops. 
• You can buy inhalant capsules containing decongestant oils, such as eucalyptus. Sprinkle these on your child's pillow at night. 
• An older child can try placing her face over a bowl of hot water containing a decongestant oil.  By inhaling, she may be able to clear her blocked nose, but she must be supervised at all times.

Home nursing

 

A cold is not a serious illness and is best treated by bed rest and plenty of loving attention from you.

 

·        Make sure that your child has a drink every hour or so to prevent dehydration, especially if she has a fever - a temperature above 37.2°C (99°F). 

·        Raising the head end of the cot or bed with a couple of books can help your baby breathe more easily. If your child is over one year old, an extra pillow may help. 

·        Teach your child to blow her nose. Press your finger over one of her nostrils and show her how to snort through the other one. Use moist cotton wool or a tissue and throw it away immediately. 

·        Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards to stop the virus from spreading. If your child's nose is dry or sore from constant blowing or mopping up a runny nose, smearing petroleum jelly around her nostrils may help. 

·        Your child should stay away from other children, especially young babies, so that the virus doesn't spread. However, make sure that she doesn't get bored - play games or buy her a new toy or a book.

 

Check your child's temperature regularly. Don't dress her in extra clothes or make the room too hot. If she has a high fever, try to lower it by sponging her body with warm water.

 

When your child has a cough

 

There are two types - chesty coughs and dry coughs - and these should be treated differently.

 

Chesty coughs: a chesty cough may sound rattly, and your child may bring up mucus from her lungs. Expectorant medicines are used to loosen and break up the mucus so that it is easier to cough up.

 

Dry tickly cough: a dry tickly cough may sound hollow, doesn't produce any mucus and may be accompanied by a sore throat. It is often aggravated by dust and can be very irritating, especially at night. Dry coughs don't usually need treating, unless your child is finding it difficult to sleep. A sugar-free junior linctus will help to soothe your child's throat and make it less tickly. For children aged over one, you can also buy junior cough suppressants, which stop the urge to cough (some contain a mild anti-histamine, which helps a child to sleep at night). A persistent dry cough may be a sign of asthma.

 

When to call the doctor

 

Coughs have many causes, including chest infections and asthma. See your doctor if your child experiences any of these symptoms:

 

• Breathing difficulties or wheezing
• A persistent dry cough with no other symptoms
• A cough triggered by exercise
• She brings up coloured or blood-stained mucus
• A cough which lasts for more
• Repeatedly vomits after coughing than three to four days

Home nursing

 

• Give your child plenty of fluids to drink. A teaspoon of honey in warm water can help to loosen
• mucus and soothe a sore throat.
• For a chesty cough, rub your child's back to break up the mucus. this will make the cough worse
• Make sure your child doesn't panic while she is coughing, as
• Encourage your child to lie on her side at night so the mucus doesn't dribble into her throat.

In children, most coughs follow on from a cold. The cough will either be a dry cough or a chesty cough and each will need to be treated differently. If the cough does not clear after a few days, consult your  doctor.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.