Coughs and colds in children
Is your child sneezing, coughing, and complaining about a sore throat, so there's no parent in the world who hasn't been there? Find out how to keep those cold symptoms in check and prevent your kid from getting sick the next time. coughs and colds are usually caused by infection with a germ called a virus. They normally clear away on their own, and antibiotic medicines are usually in use.
More than 200 different viruses can cause this infection, but the rhinovirus is the most common culprit. Antibiotics, which fight bacteria, won't treat your child's cold because cold is a viral illness. Viral illness cannot be treated with antibiotics. Except in newborns or in immuno- compromised children, colds in healthy children aren't dangerous. They usually go away in 4 to 10 days without treatment.
Most coughs and colds are caused by germs called viruses. Many different viruses can infect the nose and throat. They are passed on by coughing and sneezing the virus into the air. An average preschool and primary school child has 3-8 coughs or colds per year. Some children will have more than this. Sometimes several coughs or colds occur one after the other. A child who lives with smokers has an increased risk of developing coughs and colds, and the colds they get may last longer.
Symptoms:
When a child gets a cold, it starts when they have a general feeling of not being well, often followed by a sore throat runny nose, or cough. Beginning the sore throat is due to a buildup of mucus. Later, the child may get a postnasal drip, when the mucus runs down the back of their nose to the throat.
Child cold gets worse, they may wake up with symptoms like these:
- watery eyes
- Watery mucus in the nose
- Sneezing
- Feeling of tiredness
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
A cold virus can affect a child's sinuses, throat, bronchial tubes, and ears, they also have diarrhea and vomiting. The child may be irritable and complain of a headache and feeling stuffed up. After a while, the mucus coming out of their nose may turn darker and thicker.
Most coughs and colds get better without complications. Sometimes a more serious infection develops from an initial viral infection. For example an ear infection, chest infection, or pneumonia. Symptoms to look out for that may mean your child has more than just a cold include:
- Breathing problems: Wheezing fast breathing, noisy breathing, or difficulty with breathing.
- Being unable to swallow
- Drowsiness
- Unusual irritability or persistent crying, in a baby, or if the baby is not taking feeds.
- Chest pains
- A rash
- Persistent high temperatures, particularly if a baby aged less than 3 months has a raised temperature higher
- Vey severe headache, sore throat, earache, or swollen glands
- A cough that persists for longer than 3-4 weeks.
- Symptoms getting worse rather than better after about five days
of a cold.
- Symptoms (other than an irritating cough) lasting more than about
ten days. This is particularly important if your child has mucus or phlegm
(sputum) which is green, yellow, or brown, as it may indicate infection with
other germs called bacteria.
- Any symptom that you cannot explain.
See a
doctor if any symptoms develop that you are concerned about. This is
particularly important if your child has a long-term illness or medical
condition - for example, chest/breathing/heart problems or neurological
disease. Doctors are skilled at checking children over to rule out serious
illness. They may not be able to prescribe anything more effective for a common
cough or cold, but a check-over can be reassuring.
- Coughs and colds often do not
need any treatment.
Make sure your child has enough
to drink. Low body fluid (dehydration) may develop if a child has a raised
temperature (fever) and does not drink much.
Resting probably helps the body to fight off viruses more quickly.
Preventing colds in children:
Wash hands often: Cold germs can liner on frequently touched surfaces: door handles, toys, and own hands. The biggest method of prevention is good hygiene. Proper hand-washing with soap creates enough friction to get rid of most related germs.
Avoid others who are sick:
Mucous droplets expelled by sneezing or coughing can easily infect others in close range. The Mott poll found that 64 % of parents would ask a relative with a cold not to hug or kiss their child, 60 % would cancel a play date if attendees are ill.
Prevent cross-contamination:
Young kids, as many parents know, are likely to put hands and fingers in their nose and mouth. Offer a firm reminder that doing so could make them sick. Teach children not to share drinkware or utensils with each other.
Clean the affected surfaces:
To help keep germs off nightstands and coffee tables, among other places, tell children to throw used tissues in the toilet or a trash can. Use bleach-based wipes to disinfect shared items, appliances, and other surfaces.
Skip the supplements:
Just over half of respondents give their kids an over-the-counter vitamin or supplement, including vitamin C and multivitamins to ward off colds. But there's no proof these products work. A healthy diet and proper sleep can help a child's immune system perform at its best.
Homeopathy:
There are many various types of cough and especially during winter tickly coughs, productive coughs, croupy coughs. Homeopathic cough medicine for children helps in treating cough very effectively. Cough and cold may lead to stress and discomfort for the children, which also causes sore muscles, and lack of sleep.
The correct and genuine homeopathic medicines for children can give fast relief. It can also eradicate the underlying cause of the cough and cold. This is one of the most general problems, especially among children. A viral infection that affects the respiratory system leads to a cold.
Homeopathic cough medicine for children usually goes well with other treatments. A homeopathic remedy is a huge benefit over modern medicine which has no authentic and right cure for the common cold.
