What are the common symptoms of a cold in children. How can parents differentiate between a cold, allergies, and the flu. When should parents seek medical attention for their child’s cold symptoms. How can parents effectively care for a child with a cold at home.

Recognizing Cold Symptoms in Children

When a child develops a runny nose and fever, parents often wonder if it’s a simple cold or something more serious. Understanding the typical progression of cold symptoms can help ease concerns and guide appropriate care.

The common cold usually starts with a sore throat, followed by a cluster of symptoms that develop over a few days:

• Runny nose (clear and watery initially)
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• Cough

Interestingly, a fever is not typically associated with a cold. If your child does develop a fever, it could indicate a flu or bacterial infection instead.

The Evolution of Cold Symptoms

As the cold progresses, you may notice changes in your child’s symptoms:

• The runny nose may become thicker and darker after the first few days
• A mild cough might develop and persist for up to two weeks
• Symptoms usually peak within 3-7 days
• The child may feel congested for a week or more after other symptoms subside

Is a cold contagious? A child is most contagious during the first three days of illness, but can potentially spread the virus for up to a week.

Differentiating Between Colds, Allergies, and Flu

Parents often struggle to determine whether their child’s symptoms indicate a cold, allergies, or the flu. While these conditions can present similarly, there are key differences to watch for.

Cold vs. Allergies

How can you tell if your child has a cold or allergies? Consider the following:

• Onset: Cold symptoms typically develop quickly and resolve within 1-2 weeks. Allergies often persist longer.
• Cause: Colds are caused by viruses, while allergies result from an overactive immune response to substances like dust or pollen.
• Contagiousness: Colds are contagious, but allergies are not.

Cold vs. Flu

Distinguishing between a cold and the flu can be challenging, but these factors may help:

• Fever: A cold rarely causes a fever above 101°F (38.3°C), while the flu often does.
• Additional symptoms: The flu frequently causes muscle aches and headaches, which are less common with colds.
• Severity: Flu symptoms are generally more severe and have a more sudden onset than cold symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Cold Symptoms

While most colds resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant a visit to the doctor. Parents should be vigilant and seek medical attention if their child experiences:

• Earache
• Sinus pain lasting more than a week
• Fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
• Fever lasting more than a day in a child under 2, or more than 3 days in an older child
• Persistent cough with mucus production for over a week
• Shortness of breath
• Worsening symptoms
• Symptoms lasting longer than 2 weeks
• Difficulty swallowing
• Severe sore throat with fever (possible strep infection)
• Chest pain or pressure
• Stiff neck or sensitivity to light

For infants under 3 months, a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires immediate medical attention.

Home Care for Children with Colds

While there’s no cure for the common cold, parents can take steps to alleviate symptoms and make their child more comfortable:

Managing a Runny Nose

For children with excessive nasal discharge:

• Encourage sniffing and swallowing mucus rather than blowing the nose, which can push the infection into the ears or sinuses
• For infants, use a soft rubber suction bulb to remove mucus

Relieving Nasal Congestion

To address a stuffy nose:

1. Prepare a saline solution by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water
2. Apply 3 drops in each nostril (1 drop for children under 1 year)
3. Wait 1 minute
4. Have the child blow their nose or use a suction bulb
5. For sticky mucus, use a damp cotton swab for removal

Managing Fever and Discomfort

To alleviate aches and fever, parents can administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by a healthcare provider.

Preventing the Spread of Colds

While it’s challenging to completely avoid colds, especially in children, there are steps families can take to minimize their spread:

• Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water
• Teach children to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Avoid sharing utensils, cups, or towels with someone who has a cold
• Keep surfaces clean and disinfected, especially in shared spaces
• Boost the immune system through proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and regular exercise

Cold Complications: What Parents Should Know

While colds are generally harmless, they can sometimes lead to complications, particularly in children with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions. Parents should be aware of potential complications such as:

• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia

Children with asthma may experience increased symptoms during a cold and might require adjustments to their regular treatment plan. It’s crucial for parents to consult with their child’s healthcare provider if they notice any worsening of asthma symptoms during a cold.

Viral vs. Bacterial Infections

How can parents distinguish between a viral cold and a bacterial infection? While it’s not always easy, these signs may indicate a bacterial infection:

• Thick or dark mucus
• High fever
• Symptoms that worsen after initially improving
• Persistent symptoms beyond the typical duration of a cold

If parents suspect a bacterial infection, they should consult a healthcare provider, as antibiotics may be necessary.

Cold Prevention Strategies for Families

While it’s impossible to completely avoid colds, especially in children who attend school or daycare, families can take proactive steps to reduce their frequency:

• Encourage proper hand hygiene, teaching children to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently
• Boost immune health through a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Ensure children get adequate sleep and regular exercise
• Minimize exposure to secondhand smoke, which can irritate the nasal passages and increase susceptibility to colds
• Keep children home when they’re sick to prevent spreading the virus to others

The Role of Vitamins and Supplements

Some studies suggest that certain vitamins and supplements may help prevent or shorten the duration of colds. These include:

• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Echinacea

However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially for children.

Understanding the Impact of Colds on Child Development

While colds can be uncomfortable and disruptive, they play a crucial role in developing a child’s immune system. Each exposure to a cold virus helps the body build immunity, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of future infections.

However, frequent colds can impact a child’s daily life in several ways:

• Missed school days
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Decreased appetite
• Reduced energy for play and learning

Parents can help mitigate these impacts by:

• Ensuring children get plenty of rest during illness
• Offering nutritious, easy-to-eat foods to maintain energy levels
• Keeping children hydrated
• Providing quiet activities for entertainment during recovery

Long-term Health Considerations

While most colds are harmless in the long term, frequent respiratory infections in early childhood have been associated with an increased risk of developing conditions like asthma later in life. However, it’s important to note that this relationship is complex and influenced by various factors, including genetics and environmental exposures.

Parents concerned about their child’s frequency of colds or potential long-term impacts should discuss these concerns with their pediatrician.

Navigating Cold Season: Tips for Parents

As the cold season approaches, parents can take proactive steps to prepare their families:

• Stock up on essential supplies like tissues, hand sanitizer, and over-the-counter medications (as appropriate for your child’s age)
• Prepare a “sick day kit” with activities to keep children entertained while resting
• Review and update emergency contact information for healthcare providers
• Discuss sick day policies with schools or daycare centers
• Consider getting flu shots for eligible family members

Creating a Supportive Recovery Environment

When a child is recovering from a cold, creating a comfortable and supportive environment can speed up recovery:

• Ensure the child’s room is at a comfortable temperature
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which can help relieve congestion
• Provide plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
• Offer comforting, nutrient-rich foods like chicken soup
• Allow for extra rest and sleep

By understanding the nature of colds, recognizing when medical attention is necessary, and implementing effective home care strategies, parents can navigate cold season with confidence. Remember, while colds are common and generally harmless, they can be uncomfortable for children. Patience, care, and attention to symptoms will help ensure a smooth recovery and minimize the impact on family life.

Sore Throat, Cough, and More

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• The Start of a Cold
• Is It Allergies Instead of a Cold?
• Is It the Flu?
• When to Call the Doctor About Cold Symptoms

Your nose is running, you’ve got a cough, and your throat is raw. Is it a cold, allergies, or the flu?

There are similarities to all three, but a few telltale signs can help you tell them apart.

It usually begins with a sore throat, and before you know it, you’ve also got these symptoms:

• Runny nose (clear and watery)
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• Cough

You usually don’t get a fever with a cold. If you do, it may be a sign you’ve got the flu or an infection with a bacteria.

For the first few days that you’re sick, your runny nose will be watery, but it turns thicker and darker after that. You may also get a mild cough that can last into the second week of your cold.

Since a cold can trigger an asthma attack, people with asthma should check with your doctor to see if you need to change your regular treatment plan.

If you cough up thick or dark mucus or you get a fever, you may have an infection with a bacteria. See your doctor to find out how to treat it. Also see them if your cough doesn’t get better after a few weeks.

Your symptoms usually start between 1 and 3 days after you get infected with a cold virus. They typically last for about 3 to 7 days. By then the worst is over, but you may feel stuffed up for a week or more.

You’re most contagious during the first 3 days that you’re sick, but it’s still possible to spread it during the first week.

Sometimes you might mistake cold symptoms for hay fever. If they begin quickly and are over in 1 to 2 weeks, chances are it’s not an allergy.

Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system, your defense against germs. Your body overreacts to things like dust or pollen. It then releases chemicals like histamine. This causes the passageways in your nose to swell, leading to a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing.

Hay fever isn’t contagious, but some people may inherit a tendency to get it.

For in-depth information, see WebMD’s “Common Cold or Allergies?”

Take your temperature. A mild case of the flu often has symptoms like a cold, but a cold rarely raises your temperature above 101 degrees F.

Besides a fever, the flu often gives you muscle aches and a headache.

For in-depth information, see WebMD’s “Flu or Cold Symptoms?”

Except in newborns, colds aren’t dangerous. The symptoms usually go away without any special treatment. But when you’re sick it can wear down your body’s resistance, making you more open to an infection by a bacteria.

See your doctor if your cold symptoms are severe and you aren’t getting better. They’ll likely check your throat and ears, and listen to your lungs. They may take a throat culture by brushing your throat with a long cotton-tipped swab. This will show whether you have an infection that needs treatment with antibiotics.

Call your doctor if you have:

• An earache
• Pain around the nose and eyes (sinuses) for more than a week
• Fever above 102 degrees F. If your child is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, call your doctor right away.
• Fever that lasts more than a day in a child under 2, or more than 3 days in a child age 2 or older
• Cough up mucus for more than a week
• Shortness of breath
• Worsening symptoms
• Symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks
• Trouble swallowing.
• A bad sore throat with fever (may indicate strep infection)
• Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
• A stiff neck or sensitivity to bright lights

Also see your doctor if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding and get a cold
• Your newborn or infant gets symptoms
• Your cold worsens after the third day

Top Picks

Colds – The Pediatric Clinic

What is a cold?

When your child has a cold, he often has a runny or stuffy nose. He may also have a fever, sore throat, cough, or hoarseness.

Viruses cause most colds. You can expect a healthy child to get about 6 colds a year.

How can I take care of my child?

• Runny nose. If your child has a lot of clear discharge from the nose, it may not be a good idea to blow his nose. Sniffing and swallowing the mucus is probably better than blowing. Blowing the nose can make the infection go into the ears or sinuses. For babies, use a soft rubber suction bulb to take out the mucus.
• Stuffy nose. Most stuffy noses are blocked by dry mucus. Try nosedrops of warm tap water or saline. They are better than any medicine you can buy.

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water.
2. Put 3 drops in each nostril. (For children less than 1 year old, use 1 drop.)
3. Wait 1 minute.
4. Then have the child blow or you can use suction bulb. Use a wet cotton swab to remove mucus that’s very sticky.

• Aches and fever. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever over 102°F (39°C). Do not give aspirin.
• Cough or sore throat. Use cough drops for children over 6 years old. Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey for children over 1 year old. If you do not have honey, you can use corn syrup.

How long does it last?

Usually the fever lasts less than 3 days, and all nose and throat symptoms are gone in a week. A cough may last 2 to 3 weeks. Watch for signs of bacterial infections such as an earache, sinus pain, yellow discharge from the ear canal, yellow drainage from the eyes, or fast breathing.

Call your child’s doctor right away if:

• Your child has a hard time breathing or fast breathing.
• Your child starts acting very sick.

Call your child’s doctor during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• The nose symptoms last more than 14 days.
• The eyes get yellow discharge.
• You think your child may have an earache or sinus pain.
• You have other questions or concerns.

Colds – Teen Version

What is a cold?

A cold or upper respiratory infection is an infection of the nose and throat caused by a virus.

Symptoms of a cold include:

• runny or stuffy nose
• usually a fever and sore throat
• sometimes a cough, hoarseness, red watery eyes, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

What is the cause?

The cold viruses are spread from one person to another by hand contact, coughing, and sneezing. Colds are not caused by cold air or drafts. Many different viruses cause colds. Most healthy teenagers get at least 3 colds a year.

Many teens have a runny nose in the wintertime when they breathe cold air. This is called vasomotor rhinitis. The nose usually stops running within 15 minutes after you come indoors. It does not need treatment and has nothing to do with cold or an infection.

Chemical rhinitis is a dry stuffy nose that results from using decongestant nosedrops or spray too often and too long (longer than 1 week). It will be better a day or two after you stop using the nosedrops or spray.

How long will it last?

Usually the fever lasts 2 or 3 days. The sore throat may last 5 days. Nasal discharge and congestion may last up to 2 weeks. A cough may last 3 weeks.

Colds are not serious. Between 5% and 10% of colds develop into some kind of bacterial infection. Watch for signs of bacterial infections such as earaches, yellow discharge from the ear canal, yellow drainage from the eyes, sinus pressure or pain (often means a sinus infection), or rapid breathing (often a sign of pneumonia). Yellow or green nasal secretions are a normal part of the body’s reaction to a cold. As an isolated symptom, they do not mean you have a sinus infection. You might have a sinus infection if you have pressure, pain or swelling over a sinus and it doesn’t improve with nasal washes.

How can I take care of myself?

Not much can be done to affect how long a cold lasts. However, we can relieve many of the symptoms. Keep in mind that the treatment for a runny nose is quite different from the treatment for a stuffy nose.

• Treatment for a runny nose with a lot of liquid discharge

Sniffing and swallowing the secretions is probably better than blowing because blowing the nose can force the infection into the ears or sinuses. Nasal discharge is the nose’s way of getting rid of viruses. Antihistamines are not helpful unless you have a nasal allergy.

• Treatment for a dry or stuffy nose with only a little discharge or dried, yellow-green mucus

Most stuffy noses are blocked by dry mucus. Blowing the nose cannot remove most dry secretions.

Nosedrops of warm tap water or saline are better than any medicine you can buy for loosening up mucus. Use a clean dropper to put drops into the nose. Water can be splashed in or dripped in using a wet cotton ball. Wait 1 minute for the water to loosen the mucus, then blow your nose. You can repeat this several times to clear your nasal passages.

The main mistakes teens make when they use warm-water nosedrops are using only 1 drop of water or saline, not waiting long enough for secretions to loosen up before blowing their nose, and not repeating the procedure until their breathing is easy. The front of the nose can look open while the back of the nose is all gummed up with dried mucus.

Use the nasal washes at least 4 times a day or whenever you can’t breathe through your nose.

• Treatment for other symptoms of colds
  • Fever: Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches or fever over 102°F, or 39°C.
  • Sore throat: Use hard candies and warm chicken broth.
  • Cough: Use cough drops and a humidifier in your bedroom.
  • Red eyes: Rinse frequently with wet cotton balls.

• Prevention of colds

A cold is caused by direct contact with someone who already has a cold. Over the years we are all exposed to many colds and develop some immunity to them. Wash your hands often, especially after coming in contact with someone who has a cold.

A humidifier prevents dry mucous membranes, which may be more susceptible to infections.

Vitamin C, unfortunately, has not been shown to prevent or shorten colds. Large doses of vitamin C (for example, 2 grams) cause diarrhea.

• Common mistakes in treating colds

Most nonprescription cold medicines are worthless. Especially avoid drugs that have several ingredients because there is a greater chance of side effects from these drugs. Antihistamines do not help cold symptoms. Nothing can make a cold last a shorter time. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a cold only if you also have a fever, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches. Don’t use aspirin.

Do not take leftover antibiotics for uncomplicated colds because they have no effect on viruses and may be harmful.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

• Breathing becomes difficult or rapid.

Call during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• The nose symptoms last more than 14 days.
• Your eyes develop a yellow discharge.
• You have an earache or sinus pain.
• Your sore throat lasts more than 5 days.
• You have other questions or concerns.

How to distinguish an allergic rhinitis from a cold – an article on the site Aptechestvo, Nizhny Novgorod

A runny nose is the result of inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The process of inflammation is initiated by an allergy or the ingress of pathogens on the mucous membrane.

The combination of symptoms can only be a manifestation of severe acute respiratory infections, which requires a different approach to treatment and prevention. In order to be able to take the necessary measures for treatment, it is important to understand how the allergic rhinitis differs from the common cold.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis

Sensitive reactions to stimuli may occur intermittently, as they are often associated with flowering seasons.

How to distinguish allergic rhinitis from a cold? To answer, take into account a number of symptoms for allergies:

• Locality: allergic symptoms are clearly manifested either at a certain period of time, or in a particular place (for example, where there are many flowering plants).

• Allergic rhinitis is not accompanied by fever and fever.

• In addition to a runny nose, allergies cause itching in the eyes, burning, and constant sneezing.

Causes

Seasonal rhinitis is caused by flowering plants. But in more rare cases, allergies do not depend on the time of year.

Year-round inflammation of the nasal mucosa is caused by the ingestion of a number of particles:

• Perfumery.

• Food products.

• Tobacco smoke.

• Animal fur.

• Medicines.

Allergy is a reaction of the immune system. It can be caused by completely different substances called allergens, which are not normally considered pathogenic.

Acute rhinitis symptoms

Catarrhal rhinitis is a reaction to a viral infection that leads to inflammation of the mucous membranes. Viral infection is spread by airborne droplets, and the likelihood of the disease increases in conditions of weakened immunity.

The answer to the question of how to distinguish an allergic rhinitis from a cold can be found by examining the symptoms of catarrhal rhinitis:

• Increased body temperature, weakness, drowsiness, headache.

• Swelling of the mucous tissues of the nose.

• The snot acquires a thick consistency and a yellow-green hue.

Risk factors

In the normal course of the disease, the symptoms of infectious rhinitis disappear in 1-2 weeks. If the disease continues to progress, then without medical treatment, inflammation leads to complications.

The risk of developing the disease increases under the following conditions:

• Stress.

• Air pollution.

• Bad heredity.

• Wrong nutrition.

• Influence of chemical irritants.

Improper treatment can lead to a complication of the disease. In such cases, the runny nose lasts more than 6 weeks and becomes chronic.

Diagnosis of the type of inflammation

You can also recognize the difference between an allergic rhinitis and catarrhal rhinitis at home, after which you should contact the appropriate specialist (therapist or allergist). Diagnosis of rhinitis by a specialist is carried out to determine the cause of inflammation in order to prescribe the appropriate treatment. In the case of an allergy, the substance that causes it is identified.

Diagnostic procedure:

• Studying the medical history of the patient and his parents.

• External inspection.

• Conducting laboratory tests. Usually a blood test is taken. When diagnosing allergies, the reaction of the skin to direct contact with different groups of allergens is checked.

Distinguishing allergies from colds

Distinguishing features of allergic rhinitis:

• An allergic reaction usually does not cause a fever.

• Cleansing the mucous from pollen leads to frequent sneezing.

• Allergies cause irritation not only of the nose, but also of the eyes, ears and throat.

• Allergy symptoms are worse in dry, windy weather and lessened in rainy weather.

• The reaction often occurs seasonally or upon contact with the allergen.

Infectious rhinitis differences:

• Infectious inflammation goes away or weakens with the use of medications.

• As the illness progresses, the nasal discharge becomes thicker and more colourful.

• Sneezing with a cold is often less intense.

• Infections in humans are accompanied by general weakness and a decrease in appetite.

Paratyphoid A and B

Paratyphoid – various infectious intestinal diseases like typhoid fever.

Russian synonyms

Paratyphoid diseases.

Synonyms English

Paratyphoid A and B, paratyphoid infection, paratyphoid fever, Salmonella paratyphi infection.

Symptoms

Paratyphoid A and B are characterized by an acute onset. Symptoms resemble those of typhoid fever, but in general, paratyphoid A and B are milder. For the initial stages of paratyphoid A, nonspecific manifestations are more characteristic: cough, runny nose. The first signs of paratyphoid B are often intestinal symptoms.

The following symptoms are most characteristic of paratyphoid A and B:

• runny nose,
• cough,
• fever, temperature more often than 38-39 ⁰ C, sometimes up to 40 ⁰ C.
• roseola rash,
• diarrhea,
• loose stools, profuse, with an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of marsh mire,
• vomiting,
• abdominal pain.

General information about the study

The causative agents of paratyphoid fever are bacteria of the genus Salmonella – these are “rods” that have flagella and do not form spores. Salmonella are resistant to freezing, but die when heated to 75 ^° C for 10 minutes. The mechanism of transmission of paratyphoid A and B is fecal-oral, that is, infection occurs when water and food containing the pathogen are consumed through dirty hands and dishes. The source can only be an infected person, including an asymptomatic bacteriocarrier. A person is contagious from the first days of the disease and within 2-3 weeks after recovery.

The incubation period, that is, the period of time from the entry of infection into the body to the onset of the disease, with paratyphoid fever usually ranges from one to ten days. Salmonella enters the human body through the gastrointestinal tract. Once in the intestine, they enter the mucous membrane and then into the underlying tissues. After that, the bacteria multiply, enter the bloodstream and secrete endotoxin, with the action of which the first symptoms of the disease are associated: fever, malaise. Then salmonella can penetrate other tissues: the nervous system, liver, bile ducts, lymphoid organs, including mesenteric lymph nodes. The appearance of a characteristic rash is associated with this stage, as well as the main intestinal symptoms: abdominal pain, stool disorders. The duration of the disease is usually 5-7 days. The causative agent is excreted from the body mainly with bile.

Most often, paratyphoid A and B occur in a moderate form and end in complete recovery. The susceptibility to the disease and the severity of its course depend on the state of the patient’s immune system. Complications of paratyphoids can be intestinal bleeding, perforation of the intestinal wall, meningitis and meningoencephalitis, hepatitis, cholangitis and cholecystitis, rarely myocarditis.

Who is at risk?

• Children.
• Elderly people.
• Immunocompromised people.

Diagnosis

A characteristic clinical picture in combination with anamnesis suggests the presence of paratyphoid. However, the final diagnosis can only be made after a series of laboratory tests to determine the type of pathogen isolated from the patient’s body. Salmonella can be isolated from the patient’s blood in the first days of illness, then from urine and feces. In addition to the direct isolation of the pathogen, methods for determining antibodies to Salmonella are used.

Laboratory diagnostics

• Complete blood count (without leukocyte formula and ESR) with leukocyte formula. With paratyphoids in the blood, a small neutrophilic leukocytosis can be observed.
• Sowing feces for pathogenic flora (disease group and typhoid-paratyphoid group). The material is sown on a nutrient medium. The study allows not only to determine the causative agent of the disease, but also to establish its sensitivity to various groups of antibacterial drugs.
• Salmonella species, DNA [PCR]. Determination of the pathogen in the patient’s feces using the polymerase chain reaction method.
• anti-Salmonella, detection of antibodies to serovars A, B, C1, C2, D, E. This test allows you to detect antibodies to certain Salmonella serovars in the patient’s blood.