Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Call our office to schedule a virtual visit.

When Your Child's Cold Needs Medical Care

The common cold is the bane of good health. It makes you feel just sick enough to not want to do anything, but not so sick that you can’t do anything. It’s caused by any one of many types of viruses, but the rhinoviruses are the most common. It infects your nose and upper respiratory tract, and usually presents the following symptoms:

Colds typically have a one-to-three-day incubation period, meaning that you don’t start seeing symptoms until one-to-three days after you’ve been infected. 

The virus spreads in two ways. The first is droplets suspended in the air from when someone who’s already sick sneezes, coughs, or even talks; you inhale the droplets through your mouth or nose, or they can get in your eyes.

The second is through hand-to-hand contact, either by touching someone who’s sick or by sharing contaminated objects such as eating utensils, toys, or a telephone. If you then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, the virus can invade your body.

The cold virus usually runs its course in seven to 10 days, but sometimes it sticks around for a bit longer. Children younger than six years old are at greatest risk of getting colds, often because they’re exposed in child-care settings, but even adults can expect two to three each year.

The Enrich Family Practice in Odessa, Texas, treats patients of all ages and emphasizes wellness and self-care for every member of your family. The practice also includes pediatric health, keeping your child — from newborn to adolescent — in the best health possible. If your child’s cold is worrisome, make an appointment to make sure it’s nothing more serious.

What are colds like for a child?

Babies are one of the most susceptible populations for the common cold, in part because they're around other children who get sick, and in part because they don’t yet have fully developed immune systems that can deal with common infections. Most babies during their first year come down with anywhere from 6-12 colds.

While the first signs of a cold in young children are often a runny nose and/or congestion, some other symptoms that may appear include:

Treatment pretty much revolves around relieving the baby’s symptoms, such as giving fluids, keeping the air moist, and clearing their nasal passages. If there are no complications, recovery time is about 10-14 days.

When should you come in to see the doctor?

An illness in a newborn can be serious, particularly because their immune systems aren’t fully developed. If your baby is less than three months old and develops a cold, call the doctor when they start developing symptoms, especially if they have a fever. It’s important to make sure that the symptoms are not coming from a more serious illness.

Some of the most serious concerns in newborns include:

Otitis media

This acute ear infection is extremely common in young children, as well as being the most common complication of the common cold. The infections occur when either bacteria or viruses invade the space behind the eardrum.

Wheezing

A cold can trigger wheezing, whether or not your child has asthma. The wheezing can then lead to whooping cough, a serious illness.

Secondary infections

These opportunistic infections include sinusitis (an infection of the sinuses), pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and croup. All require a doctor’s attention.

If your child is over three months, contact the doctor if they:

Contact your doctor immediately if your child:

Sometimes a cold is just a cold, but not always. Familiarize yourself with the common cold symptoms for each stage of your child’s life, and if you see anything out of the ordinary, always err on the side of caution and call the doctor. You can make an appointment with us here at the Enrich Family Practice by calling 432-200-9087, or you can book your appointment online

You Might Also Enjoy...

How Do Hormone Therapy Pellets Work?

How Do Hormone Therapy Pellets Work?

You’ve heard that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) reverses many of the unpleasant aging symptoms in women and men. If you’re curious about the pellet form of HRT because it eliminates the need for daily meds, here’s what you need to know.

I Think I Have Low Testosterone/ Can You Help?

If you have low testosterone, you may be battling several unpleasant symptoms, from low libido to fat gain. Losing your testosterone — and your mojo — doesn’t have to be part of normal aging. Testosterone replacement therapy can help.
5 Reasons to Consider IV Hydration

5 Reasons to Consider IV Hydration

Whether you want to recover from a stressful event or illness, or you just want to feel better, an intravenous (IV) hydration treatment gets you there fast. Would you benefit from this simple treatment? Here are five reasons why you might.
The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Being Overweight

The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Being Overweight

Sleep apnea and excess weight frequently go hand in hand, but it’s not an easy alliance. Being overweight increases your chances of getting sleep apnea, but having sleep apnea makes it harder to lose the weight you need to shed to sleep well.
5 Signs Your Child May Be Struggling with ADHD

5 Signs Your Child May Be Struggling with ADHD

When your kid is energetic and can’t focus, you may wonder if they have attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But aren’t all kids a bit “hyper”? How can you tell if your kid has ADHD? Find out here.
How to Choose the Right Filler for Your Goals

How to Choose the Right Filler for Your Goals

Whether you want a new look that’s natural or dramatic, there’s a filler for that. Dermal fillers, such as Belotero Balance® and Radiesse®, can do everything from fill in wrinkles to pout your lips to rejuvenate your hands. But which one does what?