baby Cold: treating common childhood illnesses

This is the 5th serial article about Treating common childhood illnesses, this time is about COLD and COUGH, first is about colds, next article about coughs

 

Colds and coughs

Children develop immunity to specific viruses, as they grow older. So in the earlier years they are susceptible to infections with cold or flu viruses. There are about 200 cold viruses producing similar symptoms, but your child will never get the same virus twice.

 

Common cold

Colds are more frequent when your child starts attending  play school, as he will be exposed to lots of new viruses. Colds are not serious unless your child is very young, or a complication such as bronchitis sets in.

 

The symptoms  ussually appear 19-48 hours after infection. They include a stuffy or running nose, headache and cough. There may be a feeling of chilliness, the sensations of smell and taste may become less acute, and the child may develop a slight fever. He may also suffer from a general feeling of listlessness and discomfort. As the disorder develops, there maybe a sore throat, varying from mild to severe, and a cough. It may last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.

 

There is  no cure for the common cold, though the symptoms can be treated, but not the virus itself. Unless a secondary infection like sinusitis or bronchitis appears for which the doctor will prescribe antibiotics, home remedies will suffice. A light diet with plenty of fluilds should be given to yor child. Encourage him to blow his nose frequently, showing him how to clear each nostril at a time. Y ou can apply petroleum jellly to his nostril and chapstick for his lips if they become sore or chopped. If congestion is severe, with nostrils clogged, ensure that he sleeps with his heap propped up with pillows, and try applying a menthol rub to his chest.

 

Your doctor may prescribe nose drops if a blocked nose interferes with sleeping or eating, liquid paracetamol reduce the temperature, and eases aches and pains. Get your child to inhale dissolved menthol crystals in boiling water. Cover his head with a towel to keep in the monthol vapours.

 

 

my previous article about Treating common childhood illnesses:

• Ear infection; treating common childhood illnesses
• Sore Throat, tonsillitis and swollen adenoids
• baby Skin disoders: treating common childhood illnesses

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