Common Cold

Child has a runny or stuffy nose. Nasal drainage consists of clear, cloudy, yellow or green discharge. Viral upper respiratory infections cause fever, runny nose, nasal congestion, sinus congestion, ear congestion, sore throat, hoarseness, cough, croup, and red, watery eyes. The following are normal upper respiratory infection symptoms which include fever for up to 3 days, sore throat for up to 5 days with other cold symptoms, nasal discharge or congestion up to 2 weeks and cough for up to 3 weeks. Children with these symptoms don't necessarily need to be seen. Bacterial infections are more likely to be present if there is an earache, sinus pain not relived by nasal toilet, fever greater than 3 days, fever that goes away in 24 hours then returns, sore throat present for more than 5 days, nasal discharge greater than 2 weeks and cough present for more than 3 weeks. Expected course of viral upper respiratory infection is 2-3 days for fever, 7-14 days for nasal discharge and 2-3 weeks for cough. 

Reason to Have Your Child Seen

We would want your child to be seen immediately if struggling for breath, unable to speak or cry, making grunting sounds with breathing or is weak. Depending upon the situation we may want you to call 911. Reasons to seek medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing not relieved by cleaning out the nose
• Fever greater than 105° F (40.5° C) if child is over 12 weeks of age
• Fever greater than 100.4 F (38° C) if child is under 12 weeks of age
• Fever returns after going away for 24 hours
• Earache
• Cloudy discharge from ear canal
• Sinus pain or pressure present 24 hours after using nasal toilet and pain medicine
• Blocked nose interfering with sleeping after nasal toilet has been performed several times
• Yellow scabs around nasal openings
• Nasal discharge present for more than 14 days
• Any concerns you may have for your child

Home Care Advice for Colds

Runny Nose with Profuse Discharge, Blow or Suction the Nose

Nasal mucosa and discharge is washing viruses and bacteria out of the nose and sinuses. In older children blow nose, younger children need nasal toilet outlined here.

Nasal toilet- Add 2-3 saline drops in each nostril prior to suctioning. Saline drops will help to loosen the mucus assisting with clearing secretions out of the nose. *Saline drops can be bought over-the-counter or can be made by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to one cup of room temperature water. 

Blocked Nose: Use Nasal Toilet

Important: Young children cannot nurse or drink from a bottle unless their nose is open and cleared of mucus. Most stuffy noses are blocked by dried sticky mucus. Suction alone or blowing the nose cannot remove the mucus. Standing in a bathroom with the warm shower running will help to loosen mucus, a wet cotton swab can be used to remove sticky mucus.

Humidifier: If the air is dry in your home, use a humidifier or vaporizer. 

Medicine: Most cold medicines are not helpful. They cannot remove dried mucus from the nose. Anthihistames are only helpful if your child has nasal allergies. Antibiotics are not helpful unless your child develops an ear or sinus infection. 

Fever and Muscle Aches and Pains: Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin). Don't give Motrin to a child less than 6 months of age.

Red Eyes: Rinse eye lids frequently with wet cotton balls. 

If you have any concerns about your baby's health, please call. This Website is meant to be a guideline, not a substitute for the care of a competent health care provider. Please do not give any medicines without talking to your doctor first. We are happy to help you in any way we can. 

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