The Common Cold
Most children get 8 to 10 colds before they are two years old. Most colds come and go without any big problems. There is no cure for the common cold since colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't kill viruses so they will not make your child's cold better. But you can help your child feel better until the cold goes away.
Colds usually last about a week but can even last for 10 days. If there is a fever, it should come at the start of the cold and then go away. Mucus in your child's nose may turn yellow or green after 3 or 4 days. Children can get one cold right after another. So it may seem like your child is sick for a long time.
Call the Doctor if ... your child has any of these symptoms
- Fever lasting more than 2 or 3 days
- Cold symptoms that get worse, instead of better after a week
- Trouble breathing or drinking
- Ear pain
- Acting very sleepy or fussy
- Coughing more than 10 days
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Why does my baby get so many colds?
One reason that babies get a lot of colds is that their immune systems are immature, making them more vulnerable to illness. Also, your child can develop immunity to only one of the more than 200 different viruses that cause the common cold at a time. Think of all the colds you've had in your lifetime. Your baby would have to get all of those — and more — to be immune to all cold viruses.
How can I tell if he has a cold and not the flu or some other illness, or even allergies?
It can be tricky. If your baby has a cold, he might have a runny nose with clear mucus that may thicken and turn gray or yellow or green over the next week or so. He might have a cough or a low-grade fever.
If your baby is running a fever, watch him when his fever comes down. If he plays and eats normally (or almost normally — he might eat a bit less and drag a little), then it's probably a cold. If he acts ill even when his temperature drops, though, he may have something more serious than a cold. Also, a flu or other illness is more likely to have an abrupt onset, and is more likely to be accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting. On the other hand, if congestion or coughing shows up before any fever, it's more likely that your child has a cold.
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Ask your doctor before giving any pain meds to kids
acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) for headache and fever
ibuprofen ( Advil & Motrin ) for muscle pain, body pain, fever
