I’ll never forget the moment as a new mom when I realized my child was sick and I didn’t know what to do. One day he was active and happy, the next he barely got out of bed. We had health insurance, but our budget was tight and our copays were astronomical. Our child was breathing okay, but he did have a cough and cold. Did he also have the flu? When do I call the doctor or can I stick with over the counter medicines? What is the best cold remedy for kids? The moment was scary not because I had a sick baby, but because of how little I understood about the common cold, common cold symptoms and what to do when the first signs of a cold appear.
The Common Cold
So what is the common cold? The common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat. Though usually harmless, a common cold can still feel really bad on our upper respiratory tract. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold.
A cold virus enters our bodies through the mouth, eyes or nose and can spread through the air in tiny droplets when a sick kid coughs, sneezes or talks closely to someone else (like your baby). You can also catch a cold by sharing objects that carry the virus, like toys or cups or utensils. Children younger than six years old are at greatest risk of colds – probably because of their sanitary habits and picking up germs at school – but healthy adults can also expect to catch a cold a couple times a year.
The most important thing to figure out is whether or not your child has developed the flu vs the common cold. This article from KYOTCs about decoding the symptoms of flu and levels of flu risks was super helpful and said,
Flu viruses can live outside the human body for up to 48 hours. They cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory tract as well as infection that can travel through the blood stream, producing symptoms that include fever, headache, body ache, fatigue, cough, runny nose and sore throat.
First Signs of a Cold
Common Cold Symptoms
The best way to stop a cold is to catch those early cold symptoms before they wreak havoc on your immune system! Taking some simple measures at the first signs of a cold can make a big difference. Some of the common cold symptoms include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Cough – dry cough or wet
- Congestion – lots of it!
- Slight body aches or a mild headache
- Sneezing
- Low-grade fever
When Common Cold Becomes Worse
Complications from a cold can be even worse than the cold itself, so be sure to take care of your little one (and yourself!) at the first signs of a cold. If your child’s cold has developed into any of these other symptoms, it’s time to go to the doctor. Some of the secondary illnesses to be aware of are:
- Ear Infection
- Asthma
- Sinus Infection
- Strep Throat
- Pneumonia
- Croup in babies and small children
- Bronchitis
Getting Rid of a Cold
Best Cold Remedy
Getting rid of a cold takes time, rest and plenty of liquids to keep you hydrated. From everything I’ve read on the Know Your OTCs website, the common cold cure is truly about understanding the symptoms and using common cold treatments that are best suited for your symptoms.
The common cold can cause a buildup of mucus leading to chest congestion and/or a congested cough. Cough expectorants – medicines that relieve chest congestion caused by mucus – help loosen congestion so that when you do cough, you clear the mucus from your lungs.
This article is the Best Cold Remedy with their list of specific over-the-counter medications for cough suppressants, cough expectorants, and cough treatments. Busy moms should keep it bookmarked for reference or to consult with a doctor! Learning which active ingredients in OTC medications they need is probably the best way to help our kids when they’re sick, including:
- Guaifenesin
- Dextromethorphan
- Menthol
Head Cold Symptoms
When I Call The Doctor
When my 3 month old has a cold, I don’t mess around. It goes without saying that sometimes the best choice is to just call the doctor. I try my best to stay out of the doctor’s offices and use all sorts of treatments and OTCs to keep their symptoms under control, but that’s not always possible.
When your baby is less than 6 months old, your child’s common cold symptoms are getting worse, their fever is rising or they have difficulty breathing, consult your medical professional right away. There is so much information out there on catching the flu and keeping our babies healthy, so knowing where to get trusted information helps moms to make the best decision.
I’m proud to be a blogging ambassador with the CHPA (Consumer Healthcare Products Association) Educational Foundation and KnowYourOTCs.org. While this is a Sponsored Post in partnership with the CHPA Educational Foundation, all opinions are my own.
