| The common cold is a type of upper respiratory tract infection that is probably the most frequent type of infection in children. It is caused by a few hundred different strains of different viruses, including strains of rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and influenza virus. It is because there are so many different strains of these different viruses that you do not develop immunity to the common cold and why it is difficult to develop a vaccine against it. Most children have three to eight colds each year, and children in daycare can have even more, so it may seem like your child is always sick.
The symptoms of the common cold include a runny nose with clear, yellow or green discharge, a cough, fever, sore throat and irritability. Symptoms usually last ten to fourteen days and will resolve on their own. Because the common cold is caused by viruses, antibiotics are not effective against it and they will not help you get better any faster.
Colds are spread easily because the viruses are shed in the secretions of an infected persons nose and throat. These viruses can survive on most surfaces for many hours and you can get them on your hand if you touch one of these surfaces. If you then touch your nose, mouth or eyes, you will get infected. The best way to prevent spread of colds is to teach your children to cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze and cough, wash their hands frequently and wash surfaces that come in contact with someone that has a cold.
There is no treatment for the common cold, but you can take steps to make your child more comfortable, including using a pain or fever reliever, moisturizing nose drops, rest, plenty of fluids, and decongestants and/or cough surpressants if needed.
Remember that a yellow or green runny nose does not mean that your child has a sinus infection and it does not mean that your child needs to be treated with antibiotics. You should see your doctor if your child has had a cold and that is not getting better in ten to fourteen days, if he has high fever for more than three to four days, if he is having trouble breathing or if he is developing an ear infection.
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