If you see your tot never seems to stop sniffling and coughing, you’re not alone in this scenario. Many healthy children catch between eight and 10 cold Symptoms or other viral infections in the first two years of life. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the symptoms can last for up to 10 days or longer.
It may appear like your child is ill for weeks at a time, especially during the winter, barely getting over one cold before catching another.
Mostly the young children get a lot of colds because they haven’t had a chance to build up immunity to the many viruses which promote colds. By the time your child grows older, he’ll gradually build up immunity and get fewer colds.
Do you know, there are over 200 types of viruses leading you to have colds? But, most of the colds your baby gets will help increase their immunity. Mostly, a child’s first cold makes parents thoughtful.
Cold Symptoms in Toddlers
Here’s a rundown of the cold symptoms in kids
Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Watery eye
- Dry cough
- Mild fever (101 to 102 degrees F)
- Congestion or stuffiness
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and crankiness
- Slightly swollen glands
Causes
Cold symptoms in toddlers include infection of the nose and throat. The virus of cold enters your baby’s body through their mouth, eyes, or nose. Following things can cause your baby a virus infection:
- Air. The virus can transfer directly to your kid.
- when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or speaks,
- Direct contact. When a person with a cold touches your baby’s hand, the cold virus can transfer to your infant, who can become sick when he touches their eyes, nose, or mouth area.
- Contaminated surfaces: your infant may get a virus by contacting a contaminated surface, such as a toy,
- Some viruses may survive on surfaces for up to two hours.
Treatment
It is not essential to treat colds. You can recover on your own after a few days. Antibiotics are ineffective because they kill bacteria, and in this case, viruses are to blame. So it is needless to find out the best antibiotic for cold and cough for the child.
Naturally, you’ll wish to alleviate your baby’s discomfort. Infants and toddlers, however, should not be given over-the-counter cough and Cold Symptoms medications. These products don’t perform well in children under six, and they can have serious adverse effects.
Your child’s pediatrician may recommend giving multiple medications at one time, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers. In such conditions, make sure you read the labels of all medicines carefully to avoid accidental overdose. For example, some decongestants include the pain reliever acetaminophen.
Home Remedies for Cold in Toddlers
There are several things to help your little one feel better. Give them get lots of rest and try one of these home remedies:
Extra fluids
Feed your infant more often. For babies over 6 months, you can also give water and 100% fruit juice. This extra amount of fluid will prevent dehydration and keep your child’s nose and mouth moist.
Spray saline and suck out mucus
When you find your baby with trouble breathing through a stuffed nose, spray a few drops of saline (saltwater) solution into each nostril. It helps loosen the mucus. You can try to use a bulb syringe to remove the mucus.
Turn on a humidifier
With a cool-mist humidifier, you can add moisture to the air and keep your baby’s nose from drying out. Always wash out the machine after each use to prevent bacteria and mold buildup.
Is This a Toddler Cold or Covid-19?
The CDC acknowledges that many of the symptoms of Covid-19 are similar to those of colds and flu. It is especially true for toddlers, who are more prone to have moderate or asymptomatic COVID-19 infections and frequently catch colds.
You should also know that the coronavirus reacts differently for everyone. In some children, you will have no symptoms whatsoever; others will have mild illnesses that resemble colds or flu. And a few suffer serious complications that result in hospitalization or death.
Difference between colds and COVID-19
It is tough to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the common cold in children. Consult your doctor when you find your baby with a runny nose and cold and fear it might be Covid-19. He will evaluate the symptoms and possibly get your child forCOVID-19 testing.
Also, do not estimate that your child could have a common cold and COVID-19 simultaneously. It’s common to have co-infections with COVID-19. in some cases, it can be difficult to tell which symptoms are from COVID-19 and which are from other co-infections”—which is why testing is so important.
Conclusion
Colds and moderate fevers in toddlers usually go away on their own. Being ill generally strengthens the immune system, enabling him to fight off the subsequent sickness that comes his way.
There’s no vaccine for the common cold. The best defense against the common cold is commonsense precautions and frequent hand-washing.
FAQs
How long does a cold virus last in toddlers?
The symptoms appear one to three days after your child has been exposed to the virus. Symptoms usually last a week. They can, however, persist for up to two weeks. Each child’s symptoms may differ somewhat.
How can I help my toddler sleep with a cold?
Tips on how to help baby sleep with a cold
- Could you give them a lift? For a baby sleeping with a cold, use extra pillows to raise their head and shoulders to help the congestion drain down.
- Make them a nightcap.
- Breathe easy
- Keep cool
- Avoid night fever
How do I treat my toddler’s cold fast?
When you run a cool-mist humidifier, it will keep the air in the child’s room moist and lower the child’s nasal and chest congestion. With a hot-water, steam can clear the stuffy nose of your toddler.
