Home > Tips for Moms > Cold and Cough Guide
Source: "Common Cold: Overview." National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. National Institutes
of Health. Available at:
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/commonCold/overview.htm
Accessed Sept. 1, 2008
Illnesses like colds are spread mostly through the coughing and sneezing that sends droplets of germs into the environment. These germ-laden droplets then get into someone else's mouth or nose, and the cold spreads.
Sometimes, germs spread when a person touches a surface - like a desk or a phone - that has been exposed to germ droplets. If this person then touches his own eyes, mouth or nose before washing his hands, the cold spreads. The exposure doesn't have to be immediate, either: some cold-causing viruses can live for more than 2 hours on a surface like a cafeteria table or a desk. The solution? Stop or reduce the spread of germs. According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the top 3 ways to fight back against the germs that spread colds and coughs:
Teach your child to cover his mouth and nose every time he coughs or sneezes (this applies to adults, too). Ideally, have him use a tissue and then throw it away. No tissue? Then he can use his hands to cover up, and then wash his hands - every time he coughs or sneezes.
It takes 15-20 seconds to sing the "Happy Birthday" song. That's how long children and adults should wash their hands with soap and warm water when they clean their hands. It's a fun, easy way for little ones to make sure they're getting really clean.
No soap and water handy? For an effective substitute, use alcohol-based, disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers available in most supermarkets and drugstores. With the gel cleaners, your child should rub his/her hands until the gel is dry.
Does your child have a cough or runny nose? Is she scratching her eyes? Is her throat sore? Does she seem tired? Some of these symptoms could be caused by either a cold or allergies, and it's important to know the difference before you can help. Generally, if symptoms persist the problem may be an allergy, but you should always talk with your doctor.
Check this list from the National Institutes of Health to help identify the symptoms your child has. Of course, check with your child's doctor about any health questions or concerns.
| Symptoms | Cold | Allergy |
|---|---|---|
| Cough | Common | Sometimes |
| General Aches, Pains | Slight | Never |
| Fatigue, Weakness | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Itchy Eyes | Rare or Never | Common |
| Sneezing | Usual | Usual |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Runny Nose | Common | Common |
| Stuffy Nose | Common | Common |
| Fever | Rare | Never |
| Duration | 3 to 14 days | Weeks (for example, 6 weeks during ragweed/pollen seasons) |