Treatment of Cold For Kids Aged 0 -7 Years Old

What is cold?

Strangely, there is no outright cure for the common cold sometimes, it is left to run its cause, and at other times it is treated as if it is caused by a virus that affects the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. It is easily transferred from one person to another, making children more likely to have a cold. They are affected the most, which makes them experience more prolonged symptoms than adults.

There are numerous viruses that a child is exposed to, and with such exposure, their body responds by building immunity against the virus over time. Generally, there is no way to cure a child’s cold; the basic is getting the child enough rest and increasing the intake of water or other liquids. This formula is to relieve the child of any pain and discomfort. It has been discovered that upper respiratory tract infections are the most common type of pediatric consultation, making it a great deal as it generates a high volume of unease in kids. 

Causes of cold in kids

The common cold is caused by different viruses and leaves the child with symptoms. The rhinovirus is the type of virus responsible for cold, another type of virus that causes cold is the enteroviruses, and because there are many virus types, children may have multiple colds each year. Children who are under seven years average six to eight colds per year. This would infer that a child could be sick with intermittent cold symptoms for nearly half of the days in this period without a cause for concern. As time progresses, their immune system becomes resistant to the surrounding exposure to this virus, leaving them with few chances of contracting the common cold. The cause of cold can be aligned according to the following;

• Seasonal patterns: Children are likely to contact cold at certain seasons of the calendar year. During the harmattan, rainy or cold season, children are likely to get exposed to viruses that increase the chance of getting cold, even though colds are not caused by being exposed to cruel climax or cold air.
• Infection from particles on the surface or toys: Some viruses can live on the surface of toys for up to one day, leaving kids who are constantly interacting with their toys exposed to the common cold.
• Inhaling viral droplets or particles: Droplets containing the virus, when exhaled into the air either by coughing or sneezing, are transmitted as children contact them.

Symptoms of cold in kids

These sign usually begins two days after exposure to the virus.

 In the first ten days, they are worse, leaving the child with much unease and discomfort. They include;

• Nasal congestion.
• Nasal discharge can be clear, green, or yellow.
• Sore throat.
• Significant reduction in appetite
• Difficulty sleeping.
• The nose lining is swollen or red.
• Lymph nodes in the neck become slightly enlarged.
• Cough. 

Cold complications in kids

Most children rarely develop any complications during cold; however, parents may have to be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of potential complications. These complications are;

• Pneumonia: Children with fever after the first few days of cold symptoms may have bacterial pneumonia, especially if the child has a cough and is breathing heavily and rapidly. A bacterium causes this type of pneumonia.
• Ear infection: Children with a common cold may develop a bacterial or viral infection that affects the ear.
• Asthma: Cold increases the chance of worsening asthma in children who has a history of the condition. Wheezing occurs in children who haven’t experienced it before.
• Sinusitis: Nasal congestion that doesn’t improve over ten days may point to the child having a bacterial sinus infection.

Treatment in kids

The treatment in children differs from that of an adult. Cough medicines and other expectorants are marketed for cold symptoms; however, proper care and attention must be given to children between 0 – 7 years to avoid potentially dangerous side effects devastating to the child.

The following procedures can be meted out howbeit within the jurisdiction of your Doctor to know when and how to handle any form of fever;

• Acetaminophen: Children who are uncomfortable or experiencing any unease could be made to take acetaminophen; however, consult your doctor as to when and how to handle such medication.
• Ibuprofen: This helps make the child feel better when they have a cold, however in proper dosage and as directed by your doctor.
• Avoid Aspirin: Exposing children to aspirin may lead to complications such as brain damage and liver function problems, which may lead to seizures, coma, and death. It is best to consult your doctor to know how to handle this condition.
• Humidifier: Air that is humidified does improve the symptoms of nasal congestion and runny nose. Saline nose drops help thin the mucus, followed by suction to remove nasal secretions temporarily.
• Honey: This may be a tremendous nighttime relief from a cold for children; however, consult your doctor to know the effects on children who are less than a year old.
• Adequate fluid intake: During cold, children often have a reduced appetite and may not want to eat as usual. They should consume much water to stay hydrated and keep the airflow healthy to combat cold.
• Vitamin C: A healthy recommended daily dosage helps boost the immunity of the child.

Prevention of cold in children

Some simple hygiene helps prevent infection with viruses that cause colds in children. Some of these measures include;

• Hand washing is imperative and essentially has a high chance of reducing the spread of cold. You can teach children to wash their hands before and after sneezing, and for those less than two years, parents should be aware of the need to clean their hands regularly. The chances they get whatever comes to their hands into their mouth are high, therefore they need to be mindful of this exercise.
• Using a household cleaner that kills viral or bacterial transmission is essential.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be helpful, however, under the guidance of the parents, to avoid abusing it. 

Recommendations

Colds are easily contagious in the first two to four days and must be taken with every rapt attention. When children are sick, they are often worried and frightened; this means parents should be available to give them the proper care needed to combat any form of cold they are experiencing. If the symptoms persist more than is expected, it is best appropriate to speak with your doctor to recommend the next step to follow.