The common cold is a viral infection that affects children and adults of all ages. Infants are particularly susceptible to colds because of their immature immune systems and because they have not yet built up resistance through exposure. Most infant colds are short, mild illnesses that resolve without treatment. Occasionally a cold can lead to a secondary infection that requires medical attention.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of a cold in an infant is congestion and nasal discharge. Typically mucus in the nose is clear during the first day or two, then gradually becomes thicker and changes color to yellow or green. The presence of yellow or green nasal mucus does not necessarily indicate a secondary infection. Some infants experience a mild fever, coughing and sneezing.
Warning
Although a cold is the most common cause of a runny nose in an infant, other respiratory infections can also start off with this symptom. Children under three months of age are particularly prone to developing dangerous respiratory infections. Call your doctor if your infant has a temperature higher than 102 degrees, develops eye discharge, coughs for more than one week, wets fewer diapers than usual, or if symptoms have not cleared up within two weeks. Take your child to the emergency room if he refuses to nurse or drink from a bottle for several hours, coughs up any amount of blood, has difficulty breathing, or if his lips develop a blue tint. These are signs of a more serious infection that require immediate medical attention.
Treatment
Treatment for infant colds consists of comfort measures to help the child rest and recover. Steam or saline nasal drops can clear mucus from the nose by thinning it. A suction bulb can be used to directly remove mucus from the nose. Antibiotics are ineffective against colds because they are caused by a virus. However, antibiotics can be used to treat secondary bacterial infections such as ear infections and sinus infections. Over-the-counter cold medication is considered unsafe for use in children under 4 years old and should not be given except on the advice of your doctor.
Time Frame
Most infant colds improve after a few days and clear up after a week or less. Occasionally symptoms of a cold may linger for up to two weeks. If your child does not show signs of improvement after four days, or if symptoms continue for more than two weeks, call your pediatrician for advice.
Prevention
Most infants experience approximately 10 colds during their first two years of life. Although all colds are not preventable, there are some steps you can take to reduce the frequency and severity of respiratory illness in small children. Wash your hands before touching your child, especially if you have a cold. If you smoke, quit . If you are unable to quit smoking, smoke outside, change your clothes and wash your hands before picking up your infant. Colds and other respiratory infections occur more frequently in infants who are not breastfed and those who are in group child care.
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