Let's learn more about the common cold that you and your child often get.

We all know the common cold. Especially in a household with young children, the common cold is a word we hear all the time. Sometimes you might think, "Why does my child get so many colds?" Today, let's talk about what exactly is the common cold, why does it occur, and how to take care of it.

What exactly is a cold?

Simply put, a cold is an infection of our upper respiratory system, that is, the nose and throat, caused by a virus . Adults can get colds from time to time, and young children can get them up to eight times a year. In fact, colds are the main reason why children stay home from school and visit the doctor.

Why do we get this cold?

Most colds are caused by viruses called rhinoviruses . These are very small viruses that we cannot see with our eyes. These viruses are released into the air when someone with a cold coughs or sneezes. Or they can get on our hands when we touch a surface that has the virus on it. Then, when these viruses reach the delicate lining of the nose or throat, our immune system starts to work. This reaction is what causes us to get a sore throat, a headache, and difficulty breathing through our nose.

Another thing is that dryness – whether it’s indoors or outdoors – reduces our body’s resistance to these viruses. This means that when the weather is dry, we can easily develop a cold. Similarly, if you smoke, you are more likely to develop a cold. The symptoms can be more severe and last longer than others. Sometimes it can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia . So being around people who smoke can also cause a cold in babies.

The most important thing is that you don't catch a cold just because you didn't wear a jacket or sweater, because you were in a windy place, or because you went out with your hair wet. These are just stories from the past.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

Usually, when a cold starts, it feels like a little tickle in the throat . Then the nose gets blocked, or the mucus starts to run, and the baby starts to cry. Young children may also feel very tired . They may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, body aches, and loss of appetite. Some children may also have a mild fever . The mucus that comes out of the nose may be watery at first, but it may later turn yellow or green . This is normal and nothing to worry about.

Is the common cold contagious?

Yes, the common cold is a very contagious disease . Especially after the illness has started.The most contagious period is the first two to four days. However, sometimes the virus can be transmitted to others for up to two weeks after the illness has subsided.

How is this transmitted?

• Through direct person-to-person contact.
• If we inhale the virus particles that are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes , these virus particles can travel up to 12 feet! Just imagine...
• If you touch something that has the virus on it, such as a doorknob or toy, and then touch your mouth or nose with that same hand .

How long does a cold last?

Symptoms usually appear two to three days after the virus enters the body. Most colds get better within a week . However, some people may have a few more days. It varies from person to person.

Doctor, how do you know it's just a cold?

When you take your child to the doctor, they may not be able to tell you exactly what virus is causing the illness. There are many types of viruses that cause colds. But the doctor will examine your child's throat and ears . They may also take a throat culture . This is to make sure that the symptoms are not caused by another condition that requires treatment, such as strep throat .

If symptoms worsen after about three days, it could be a condition like sinusitis , pneumonia , or bronchitis . This risk is especially high if the child is around someone who smokes.

Otherwise, if the symptoms last more than a week, appear at the same time every year, or if the child experiences these symptoms when they are exposed to pollen, dust, or animals, it could be an allergy . Similarly, if breathing becomes difficult or wheezing occurs when a cold occurs, it could be asthma .

How do you treat a cold?

The good news is that a cold is a self-limiting illness that usually goes away on its own without any specific medical treatment . This means that medication cannot kill the virus that causes the cold. However, you can use medication to reduce the symptoms, such as body aches, headaches, and fever. You can give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen, according to the instructions on the package, depending on their age and weight.

But here's something you should definitely remember: Never give aspirin to small children or young children. Giving aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome.A very dangerous, rare condition that can be life-threatening may occur.

Many medical experts now say that it makes little sense to give children under the age of 6 years old over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines . There is little evidence that these medications actually work. In addition, these decongestants can cause side effects in young children, especially infants, such as hallucinations, irritability, and irregular heartbeat .

Can't you prevent catching a cold?

There are so many types of viruses that cause colds that there is no vaccine that works for all of them. But we can do small things to reduce the risk of getting colds. See if you can do these things:

• Stay away from people who have colds as much as possible. This can be a little difficult for young children, but try your best.
• Be careful of secondhand smoke. If someone in the house smokes, it is very important to tell them not to do so around the child.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap. Especially after blowing your nose, before eating, and after coming back from the outside.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth with a tissue or the crook of your arm. Do not touch your hands, as this can spread the virus to other areas.
• Do not share towels, drinking glasses, or eating utensils with someone who has a cold.
• Don't touch handkerchiefs or tissues that other people have used.

Some people say that taking zinc supplements and vitamin C supplements can shorten the duration of a cold and reduce symptoms. But this has not been proven. Also, taking too much of these every day can cause side effects. Studies on herbal remedies like Echinacea have not yielded good results. There is also very little scientific research on giving these to young children.

Therefore, be sure to talk to your doctor before giving your child any herbal medicine or any vitamin that exceeds the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

How can we as parents help our children?

There are several things you can do at home to help ease your child's discomfort when they have a cold:

• If your nose is blocked, put saline drops – that is, salt water drops – into your nostrils. This will help loosen some of the mucus inside your nose and help it come out.
• If the air in the room is dry, use a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air.
• If the underside of your nose becomes red and dry after you rub it, apply a little petroleum jelly .
• If your throat hurts, give cough drops or hard candy, which are only for children over 6 years old .
• For body pain, you can take a hot bath or apply a heating pad .
• If the nose is very stuffy, turn on the hot shower in the bathroom and leave the child there for a while until the steam is full. Inhaling this steam will help to unclog the nose.

What about chicken soup?

We've all heard that chicken soup is good for your mucus. There's no real evidence that drinking chicken soup actually helps with your mucus. But people have believed this for over 800 years. Chicken soup contains an amino acid called cysteine , which is said to help thin mucus. Some research has shown that chicken soup can help control neutrophils , the white blood cells that cause stuffy noses.

However, don't overthink things like 'you should feed your child when they have a cold, you shouldn't feed them when they have a fever.' The most important thing is to feed your child when they are hungry, and to give them plenty of water and fruit juice to help replenish the fluids they are losing when they have a fever or a runny nose.

What are the best times to see a doctor?

If you think your child has something more than a simple cold, or if their condition is getting worse instead of better, you should definitely see a doctor. Also, take your child to a doctor right away if they have any of the following symptoms:

• If you cough with a lot of mucus.
• If it feels hard to breathe, if it feels like you're suffocating.
• If you look unusually tired.
• If you can't keep food and drink down, if you're vomiting, if you have difficulty drinking even a little water.
• If the headache is getting worse.
• If you have increasing pain in your face or throat.
• If your throat hurts so much that you can't swallow.
• If the fever is 39.3 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, or if the fever is 38.0 degrees Celsius (101 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher for more than one day.
• If you feel pain in your chest or stomach.
• If the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen (that is, if they look like lumps in the neck).
• If you have an earache.

So, what are the most important things we should remember from this story?

Since a cold is a viral infection, there is no cure for it. It comes and goes on its own once it runs its course. The best thing to do is to make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks plenty of fluids – water, fruit juice, etc.It's the best thing you can do to make your child feel comfortable until he or she recovers.

Continuing with daily activities, such as going to school, will not make the cold worse. However, if you do , you are more likely to spread the illness to other classmates and teachers . Therefore, it is best to temporarily remove your child from some of their daily activities until they recover.

Don't worry, eczema is a common condition in young children. The most important thing is to pay attention to the symptoms, give your child plenty of rest, and seek medical advice if necessary.

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