Managing the Common Cold
It’s cold season and I keep seeing this meme reminding us Gen-Xers -or millennials if you were raised by Gen-Xers- of the remedies of our elders for the common cold. Since we're midway through the traditional cold season this is a good time to go over how to recognize a cold, what you as parents can do to manage your child’s cold at home, and when you should go to the doctor. Throughout this post, I’ll clarify the effectiveness of some of our elders’ remedies for the common cold.
Colds are still happening during COVID-19
Despite being in the middle of a pandemic, non-covid related illnesses are still occurring. Our children can still be exposed to viruses that cause the common cold. If your child is virtually learning you’ve probably noticed that they haven’t had as many colds as they did when attending in-person school because they’re at home. If your children are attending in-person school or a hybrid environment, or daycare during these COVID-19 times, you may have experienced a few colds already.
What is the common cold?
The common cold -your child’s doctor may refer to this as an upper respiratory infection- is one of the most common childhood illnesses. It is also the most common reason children miss school each year.
Children are more likely to have colds during fall and winter.
Most children will have approximately 6 to 8 colds throughout the year, which may vary in their severity and symptoms.
Children who attend daycare will have more colds per year.
Colds may occur less often after the age of 6.
What Causes My Child to Catch a Cold?
The colds our children get are caused by many different viruses. The most common virus among children is the rhinovirus. Other viruses that cause colds in children are:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (infants)
Human Parainfluenza Viruses
Adenovirus
Your child can catch a cold by coming in contact with the virus in one or both of the following ways:
Airborne. This means when a person with a virus that causes a cold, coughs or sneezes small amounts of that virus into the air. If your child breathes in that air, the virus will stick inside your child’s nose and get them sick.
Person-to-Person This means when your child touches a person with a cold virus, who has touched their nose, mouth, or eyes often, and then touches other people or objects.
This is why it is so easy for children to catch and spread cold viruses, especially the little ones. They touch EVERYTHING!! So touching the wrong person or thing can cause them to catch a cold.
Signs and Symptoms of the Common Cold
Cold symptoms are first noticed 2-3 days after your child has been in contact with someone with the cold virus. Symptoms can be different among infants and older children and may last up to 2 weeks.
These symptoms may seem like other health problems, such as the flu. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
5-Ways to Manage Your Child’s Common Cold
Parents, there is no cure for the common cold. Let me repeat, respectfully, of course, there is no cure for the common cold. I know, it’s frustrating because when our children are sick we may feel helpless as parents and just want to make the cold go away so they can feel better.
To help your child feel better focus on the following:
Hydration
When your child is sick they may not want to eat a lot. This is expected.
Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids, water, electrolyte solutions, and warm soup, even Chicken Noodle soup, are good alternatives. This helps prevent fluid loss (dehydration).
Avoid drink with high sugar content like juices, this can cause diarrhea, or make it worse if your child is having diarrhea, and it can worsen dehydration.
So, while Gingerale is tasty, it’s not helpful during a cold and can actually cause stomach symptoms or make stomach symptoms worse given its sugar content.
Temperature
Fever in children is considered 100.4F or higher
Call your child’s healthcare provider if they have a fever.
Remove extra clothing and use a light cover to help reduce fever.
Cough/Congestion
Over-the-Counter cough suppressants do not help with cough in children.
Children older than 1-year have been found to do well with warm tea and honey to soothe a cough and sore throat.
For infants, nasal saline drop into each nostril will loosen nasal mucous and can be removed with an infant bulb syringe. They are safe for children and do not require a prescription.
For children, 10 years and older, nasal decongestant sprays may make symptoms worse if overused. So, VapoRub can be helpful, just don’t apply it directly inside or near the nose, because this can make nasal congestion worse.
Keep your child away from tobacco smoke. Smoke will make the irritation in the nose and throat worse.
Rest
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
Keep your child home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours.
Medication
Discuss all over-the-counter (OTC) products with your child’s healthcare provider before using them.
They can help you with dosing your child’s OTC medication based upon their weight.
NEVER give ibuprofen to an infant age 6 months or younger.
NEVER give aspirin to your child if they are age 19 or younger unless directed by your child's healthcare provider. It could cause a rare but serious condition called Reye syndrome.
Anti-biotics are not used to treat colds.
Prevent The Common Cold in Your child
To help prevent the common cold in your children do the following:
Make sure they WASH THEIR HANDS.
Before and after meals
After using the bathroom, playing with animals, and coughing or sneezing
An alcohol-based hand gel is ok if soap and water are not available. Make sure the alcohol content is at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid contact with children or adults who have a cold.
Remind children not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth.
For smaller children, wipe down toys and play areas, especially when several children are playing together.
When You Need To Take Your Child To The Doctor
Call your child’s healthcare provider right away if:
Their temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by the healthcare provider.
Their common cold symptoms last more than 10 days.
They are 3-months old or younger with cold symptoms, with or without fever. Infants are at a greater risk of complications of the common cold and should be monitored closely.
May this always be where all the children are well.
Parents, how have you managed your child’s cold in the past? Have you tried any of these remedies with your children? Comment below. I would love to hear from you!
References
Allan, G.M & Arroll, B. (2014). Prevention and treatment of the common cold: Making sense of the evidence. Medical Association Journal, 186 (3), p190-199; doi 10.1503/cmaj.121442
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Common colds: Protect yourself and others. https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html. (Accessed February 11, 2021).
Krstic, Z. (2019, January, 16). Ginger Ale Isn't the Key to Calming Your Stomach—Here's Why. Cooklight. https://www.cookinglight.com/news/does-ginger-ale-help-upset-stomach-nausea-sickness
Simasek, M. & Blandino, D.A. (2007). Treatment of common cold. American Family Physician, 75(4), p 515-520.
Standford Children’s Health & Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Common cold in children. Accessed https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=upper-respiratory-infection-uri-or-common-cold-90-P02966
