Upper Respiratory Infection In Children
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it? The common cold is an infection (in-FEK-shun) that can affect your child's nose, throat, ears, and sinuses. It is also called an upper respiratory infection (URI). The common cold is usually not serious and does not need special treatment. Healthy children usually get at least five to eight colds each year. Your child' cold symptoms will be worst for the first three to five days. His cold should be gone in seven to fourteen days. Your child may continue to cough for two to three weeks after getting a cold.
What are the causes of a cold? The common cold is caused by a germ called a virus. There are many different viruses. The virus that causes a cold is contagious (kon-TAY-jus). This means it can easily be spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or touching hands. Children get colds more often in winter.
What are the signs and symptoms of a cold? How your child feels depends upon the virus that has caused the infection. Your child may have some or many of the following signs and symptoms:
- Chills and a fever. The fever usually lasts one to three days.
- Headache, body aches, or sore muscles.
- Runny or stuffed up nose.
- Decreased hunger or thirst.
- Red, watery, and sore eyes.
- Sneezing and coughing.
- Sore throat. Your child may become hoarse (lose his voice) for a few days.
- Tired or fussy.
How can I help my child while he has a cold? There is no cure for viral illnesses such as the common cold. The following are things that you may do to help your child feel better when he has a cold:
- There is no medicine that will make the cold go away. Antibiotic (an-ti-bi-OT-ik) medicine will not work on illnesses caused by a virus, such as a cold. Acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) or ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fen) are over-the-counter pain medicines that may help your child's fever or pain. Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years old.
- Your child needs to keep warm and get lots of rest. Ask your child's caregiver how much liquid your child should drink. Keep your child's nose free of mucus. Help him to blow his nose, or use a bulb syringe to clear a baby's nose. Use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer to help unplug your child's nose and help him breathe easier.
- Wash your hands after helping your child. This prevents spreading the cold to other people. Teach your child to cover his mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing. Do not let your child share food or drinks with anyone. Try to keep your child away from other people during the first three to five days of his illness. Colds are spread most easily while your child has a fever and feels bad. To help keep your child from getting colds, keep him away from crowded places, especially in the winter. Feed your child healthy foods.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.
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