Healthy

The symptoms of a cold
Cold symptoms are usually mild and develop 2-5 days after exposure to someone who is ill. Symptoms may include fever, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache and muscle aches. The runny nose typically begins with a clear discharge from the nose, but after 2-3 days, may be thick and green or yellow. Symptoms usually worsen during the first 3-5 days, then gradually disappear from 10-14 days.
Treating a cold
Since it is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not work against colds. These types of respiratory infections disappear themselves and taking antibiotics will not help your child to improve more quickly and is unlikely to prevent secondary bacterial infections, such as an ear infection or sinusitis. Although there is no cure for colds, this does not mean you can not treat your child’s symptoms to help you feel better. Extra fluids, a cool mist humidifier, and the rest will probably help some of its symptoms. Younger children, because they can not blow his nose, may benefit from using saline nasal drops and a bulb syringe to help keep their nasal passages clear. Over the counter medications that can help, depending on your child’s symptoms of pain, slight fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, a medicine against colds with a decongestant and / or cough suppression.

Zinc lozenges, although commonly used by adults, have shown to help children and not always well tolerated and should probably be avoided.

Cough in children

Children may develop a cough due to diseases or causes that are not usually affect adults, such as:

* Croup.
* Bronchiolitis.
* The lower respiratory tract infection (such as that caused by respiratory syncytial virus or RSV).
* Obstruction of the airways by inhalation of an object, such as food, a piece of a balloon or a small toy. For more information, see objects swallowed.
* Exposure to secondhand smoke of their parents or caregivers who smoke.
* Emotional or psychological problems. A dry, nonproductive “psychogenic cough” is seen more frequently in children than in adults.

cough caused by a viral illness. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral illnesses and do not alter the course of viral infections. unnecessary use of antibiotics exposes you to risk of an allergic reaction to antibiotics and side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes and yeast infections. Antibiotics can also kill beneficial bacteria and encourage the development of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

A thorough assessment of your health can help you identify other symptoms. Note that the cough is a symptom, not a disease, and often the importance of your cough can be determined during the evaluation of other symptoms. The cough occurs with viral and bacterial respiratory tract. If you have other symptoms like sore throat, sinus pressure or pain in the ear, see Related Information.

Check emergencies and control sections of your symptoms to determine if and when you need to consult a doctor.