Childhood Coughs & Colds: Know, Relieve & Recover

From a runny nose to a persistent cough, common cold symptoms can leave parents worried about their child. While cough and cold are common in children throughout the year, there are different measures you take to reduce the spread of infection.

Why Kids Catch Colds Often

Did you know, the common cold is more common in children. In fact, before they turn 2 years old, young children can get about 8-10 colds each year.

Why are children more prone to get cold?

• Haven’t built up defences to the different types of germs that are around.
• Less careful with good hygiene.
• Close contact with other children who may be unwell.

The good news? Colds usually become less frequent as children grow older.

Symptoms of a cold:

Along with the regular cold symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Blocked/runny nose
• Fever (high temperature)
• Swollen glands in the neck

Cough: How Long Is Too Long?

Hearing your child cough can be worrying, but an occasional cough is usually normal. Cough naturally protects children by clearing mucus, irritants, and infections from the airways.

Mostly acute cough in children last two weeks or less. But if your child's cough lasts for more than two weeks it can be chronic.

Chronic cough can be due to asthma, nasal and sinus disease, infections, inhaled foreign body, "Habit" cough, irritant cough, etc.

What Can Parents Do?

There are things you can do to lower the spread of infection, which include:

• Keep babies < 3 months away from people with colds.
• Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue/elbow.
• Avoid sharing toys, utensils and cups.
• Teach children to wash hands/use hand sanitiser especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose and before eating.
• Make sure your child receives recommended vaccinations.
• Ear infection leading to ear pain can follow a cold, which if remains persistent can lead to otitis media.

Simple home remedies to ease your child's cold and cough

• The best treatment for most coughs and colds is rest.
• Give your child plenty of fluid to keep them hydrated.
• Steam inhalation can give symptomatic relief for colds.
• Hot lemon water and honey can help in cough and cold.
• Garlic and echinacea can also help in fast recovery.

Medicinal remedies to ease your child's cough at home

• Saline drops/spray relieve stuffy nose.
• Supplements like zinc and vitamin C can help with cold and respiratory symptoms.
• Medicines for children should be given only as directed by your doctor.
• Avoid medicated nasal sprays/drops for more than 2–3 days and do not use them in children under 6 years.

Simple care today can keep cold and cough at bay!