Common Cold
Bringing sniffles and sneezes and perhaps a sore throat and annoying cough, the common cold catches all of us from time to time.
With kids getting as many as eight colds per year or more, this contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract is the most common infectious disease in the United States and the No. 1 reason kids visit the doctor and stay home from school.
A cold is an infection of the nose and throat, caused by a virus. A cold is also called a viral upper respiratory infection.
Symptoms of a cold may include the following:
- runny or stuffy nose
- sneezing
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- red eyes
There are up to 200 viruses that cause colds. Most healthy children can get 6 to 12 colds a year from different viruses. Having many colds does not mean there is a weakness of the immune system. Over the years, repeated exposure to different viruses helps us develop some immunity to them. As children get older, they tend to get sick less often.
Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses that are in invisible droplets in the air we breathe or on things we touch. More than 100 different rhinoviruses can infiltrate the protective lining of the nose and throat, triggering an immune system reaction that can cause a throat sore and headache, and make it hard to breathe through the nose.
Air that’s dry — indoors or out — can lower resistance to infection by the viruses that cause colds. And so can being a smoker or being around someone who’s smoking. People who smoke are more likely to catch a cold than people who don’t — and their symptoms will probably be worse, last longer, and are more likely to lead to bronchitis or even pneumonia
The flu, like the common cold, is caused by a virus, so antibiotics don’t work against it. However, there are many antiviral medications that can be used to treat the flu and may help your child to get better a few days faster. In general, they are only effective if started within 1-2 days of your child’s symptoms beginning. Flu medications include:
- Relenza (Zanamivir) – a Diskhaler that is given by inhalation to children over the age of seven years. It is effective against Influenza type A and B.
- Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) – available as a capsule or oral suspension and can be used as a flu treatment and prevention in children over the age of 1 years and adults. It is effective against Influenza type A and B.
- Symmetrel (Amantadine) – an older medication that is only effective against Influenza type A and can be used to prevent and treat the flu in children over 12 months of age
- Flumadine (Rimantadine) – also only effective against type A Influenza and it is only approved for use to prevent the flu in children under 10 years, and not as a flu treatment.
Because of problems with resistance, the CDC recommends that doctors not prescribe amantadine and rimantadine to prevent or treat flu any longer.
Washing hands is the most important way to reduce the spread of colds. Wash your hands and your child’s hands often. Wash after coughing, sneezing, wiping the nose, or coming into contact with someone who has a cold. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand rinses.
Immunizations or vaccinations do not prevent colds, but they can help protect your child from developing some complications.
Vitamin C and Echinacea have not been shown to prevent or shorten colds.