An average primary school child has 6 to 8 coughs or colds per year.
Virus germs cause most coughs and colds. There are many different
viruses that can infect the nose and throat. Coughing and sneezing
passes them on to others. On average, children who live with someone
who smokes have more coughs and colds. This is because cigarette
smoke interferes with the nose and throat's natural defence against
viruses.
What are the symptoms of coughs and colds?
A cough with or without a blocked or runny nose is common. In
addition, a raised temperature (fever), a sore throat, tiredness and
being off food are common. Sometimes children vomit after a coughing
bout. Usually the child is not very 'ill' but is not 'himself' or
'herself'. Quite often the cough is worse at night. Disturbed nights
with coughing children are a normal part of parenthood. Symptoms may
last for up to a week. However, an irritating cough may linger for
up to 2-4 weeks after other symptoms have gone. Sometimes a child
has several coughs or colds one after the other, particularly during
winter. Coughing does not damage the lungs. It helps to protect the
lungs from serious infection. A coughing child will not choke and
stop breathing.
What are the treatments for coughs and colds?
Despite the many cough medicines available at pharmacies, no
medicine will stop a cough. Decongestants may help a bunged up nose.
Paracetamol (Calpol, Disprol, Tixymol, etc) can be given to cool a
fever and soothe a painful throat. Some cough medicines contain
ingredients that make children sleepy which may be useful at bedtime.
They will not stop the cough but sleep may be less disturbed. It is
important to give lots to drink. As the cause is usually a virus,
antibiotics are not effective for common coughs and colds.
Babies may find feeding difficult with a congested nose. A couple of
saline (salt water) drops, available at pharmacies, can be put into
the nostrils just before feeding. This can ease nose breathing for
the duration of a feed. For babies over 3 months, 1 or 2 drops of
ephedrine decongestant nose drops is an alternative. Ephedrine nose
drops should not be used regularly. They should just be used if
feeding is a problem and for no more than 3-4 days.
What symptoms should I look out for?
Most coughs and colds get better without complications. Occasionally
more serious infections develop such as ear infections, pneumonia,
etc. One or more of the following may indicate a more serious
infection: wheeziness, persistent earache, fast breathing,
difficulty breathing, persistent high temperatures, drowsiness,
chest pains.
Consult a doctor if symptoms become worse or you have a concern about the child.
Doctors are skilled at checking children over to rule out serious illness.
They may not be able to prescribe anything more effective for a common cough or cold
but a check over may be reassuring.