Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
What is the common cold?
- It is a viral infection that may be in the nose, throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx)
- Due to the infection, there may be irritation of the nose, throat, and voice box
- It is common for children to get up to 10 colds per year
- It may take a full 7 days or more for cold symptoms to improve
What are the symptoms of a cold?
- Your child may have sneezing, a runny nose (can be clear or discolored), or congestion
- Your child may have a sore throat or sound hoarse
- Your child may have a cough
- Your child may have a headache
- Your child may have ear pain
- Your child may have more general symptoms too, like a fever, or appear more tired
What are the treatments for it?
Infants under 6 months old
- nasal saline and suctioning
- running a humidifier may help (be sure to clean it out daily)
- your child’s provider may recommend Tylenol for pain or fever
- your child’s provider may recommend a baby safe vapor rub
- ensure your infant stays hydrated
Infants 6 months and older
- nasal saline and suctioning
- running a humidifier may help (be sure to clean it out daily)
- your child’s provider may recommend Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain or fever
- your child’s provider may recommend an age-appropriate vapor rub
- your child’s provider may recommend agave to help with cough
- ensure your infant stays hydrated
Toddlers
- Nasal saline and suctioning
- running a humidifier may help (be sure to clean the water daily)
- your child’s provider may recommend Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain or fever
- your child’s provider may recommend an age-appropriate vapor rub
- honey in a warm liquid may help with the cough
- encourage your toddler to consume lots of fluids
School-aged children
Teens
- nasal saline
- neti pot use may help (follow package instructions); See related article on nasal rinses
- running a humidifier may help (be sure to clean the water daily)
- honey in a warm liquid
- cough drops or throat lozenges
- vapor rub on the chest
- your child’s provider may recommend Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain or fever
- ensure your teen drinks lots of fluids
How can I prevent it?
- Encourage lots of hand washing
- Avoid sick contacts
- Avoid sharing food or drinks
- Use your elbow to cover your mouth when you cough and nose when you sneeze
- Avoid secondhand smoke exposure
- Keeping your child up-to-date with their vaccines
When to call the doctor:
- Your child is having trouble breathing
- Your child is refusing fluids and urinating less than 3 times every 24 hours
- Your child symptoms are getting worse
- Your child has a fever for five days
- Your child has not had their two-month vaccines yet and has a fever
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts, UpToDate Guidelines and Healthychildren.org
Reviewed by: TT D.O, AR D.O. | 08/2023