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Common Cold

The common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. A large variety of viruses are associated with common cold and that is why the body does not seem to be develop immunity against them. It commonly infects school-going children and the incidence of cold lessens with age. It is normal for a child to have cold eight or more times a year. This is because there are hundreds of different viruses and young children are meeting each one of them for the first time. Gradually they build up immunity and get fewer colds. Colds are caused by viruses and not bacteria, so antibiotics do not help.

Signs and Symptoms

As the common cold mainly affects the upper respiratory tract, i.e. the nose, throat and the wind pipe, the symptoms mainly relate to them only. A cold often starts with a "tickle" in the throat, a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing. Children with colds may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, mild fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. <

Duration

Cold usually takes seven to 14 days in recovery . In case of an added infection by the bacteria or complications like sinusitis, ear infection, laryngitis or bronchitis occur, the illness will be prolonged.

Prevention

Simple hygiene measures can help to prevent infection with the viruses that cause colds. These measures include:

1)Hand washing is an essential and highly effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Hands should be wet with water and plain soap, and rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. It is not necessary to use antibacterial hand soap. Teach children to wash their hands before and after eating and after coughing or sneezing.

2)Alcohol-based hand rubs are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Hand rubs should be spread over the entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists until dry, and may be used several times. These rubs can be used repeatedly without skin irritation or loss of effectiveness.

3) It may be difficult or impossible to completely avoid people who are ill, although parents should try to limit direct contact. In addition, infants or children who are sick should not be sent to day care or school as this can potentially cause others to become ill.

4)Using a household cleaner that kills viruses (such as phenol/alcohol) may help to reduce viral transmission.

Treatment

Most of the colds are due to viruses and are self limiting, so treatment in the form of antibiotics is not generally required. Though medicine cannot cure common cold it can be used to relieve a few of the symptoms like muscle ache and headache.

Some of the treatments worth trying are: taking salted water through the nostrils to relieve nasal congestion and petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose to soothe rawness. An older child can suck on hard candy or cough drops to relieve sore throat.
Over the counter drugs like decongestants/ antihistamines should not be given to infants as they have been reported to cause hallucination, irritability, and irregular heartbeats in infants.

Plenty of extra fluids - juice, water, - should be consumed. Chicken soup, an age old remedy for the common cold is also worth trying for by the non-vegetarians.

Some times babies who snuffle can’t breath easily when feeding or asleep. Raising the head of the mattress slightly by putting a blanket underneath may help. Your doctor may prescribe nose drops, which can help. Nose drops should not be used for more than a few days otherwise they may make the situation worse. You could try gently tickling your baby's nostrils-a sneeze might help clear your baby's nose.

A menthol rub or capsules containing a decongestant liquid, can put on to a piece of cloth which may help your child breathe more freely, specially at night. You can buy them from the pharmacist. Don’t use menthol products for babies under three months without asking your doctor, and be careful not to let your baby swallow a menthol capsule.
Under normal circumstances common cold goes without any medication as such.

When to see the doctor

- If the child has persistent fever lasting several days or over 101F
- The child has difficulty in swallowing.
- When the nasal discharge or coughing produces greenish or yellowish discharge.
- if the child has shaking chills, chest pain or shortness of breath.ca 87 mg, Mullein 80 mg, Goldenseal 75 mg, Siberian Ginseng 66 mg, Hawthorn 55 mg, Oregon Grape 55 mg, Siberian Ginseng 54 mg, Pau D'Arco 36 mg, Cayenne 30 mg.

Complications

- Colds are the most common trigger of asthma symptoms in children with asthma.
- A cold may also lead to:

• Bronchitis :  Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs.
• Ear Infection :  Infection to the year
• Pneumonia :  Pneumonia is a respiratory condition in which there is infection of the lung.
• Sinusitis :  Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that occurs with a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.

[source:http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-the-common-cold-in-children]