Coughs And Colds

Understanding Coughs And Colds In Children

As a parent, you know that the worst fears always raise their ugly heads whenever your children come home with coughs and colds. All kinds of concerns go through your mind and you find yourself straining to hear their every breath. Relax, we are here to put your mind at ease, and educate you about the most common illnesses your child will have during their lives.

Want to know more about coughs and colds, and how they can affect your child’s health? All of us at Pediatric Partners want the best for your child, so if they are not feeling well, call us today for an immediate appointment and checkup.

Simple Facts

Coughs and colds are the most common illness a child will have during their formative years. You are not the first parent to be concerned whenever this condition comes up, and you certainly will not be the last. The average child will get anywhere from three to ten colds every year, and with the average cold lasting around ten to fourteen days, so it is a very good idea for you to become familiar with what to expect. Remember when in doubt, call the pediatrician for advice. That’s what we are here for.

Causes

The common cold is a virus that takes over the throat area, from the neck up. Known as a rhinovirus, it is most commonly picked up from the air or items touched by another child who has the virus. Every time that child coughs, they release virus into the air or onto their hands, making it very easy to spread from one child to another. Once your child has picked it up, the virus moves into the soft lining of the nose and throat, causing them to become sore and hoarse while their immune system begins to battle the virus.

Symptoms of a Cold

The first thing you need to understand is that not every child who develops a cough or cold will also develop complications. Every child handles the common cold differently, because their immune systems are at different levels of efficiency. The first symptoms will appear within two days of being exposed to the virus and is usually either a runny nose or a tickle in the throat. Soon, the runny nose will become a stuffy nose, the first sign of nasal congestion and that tickle are now sore throats.

Other symptoms are a headache, mild fever and sneezing. The symptoms will get worse during the first ten days of the infection, usually nothing to worry about but it is always a good idea to have your child see the pediatrician for an examination. Once their immune system is fighting off one infection, it may make them vulnerable to another, and the pediatrician can give them medicine to keep them safe and make them feel better while dealing with coughs and colds.