First Aid: Common Cold

Kids can get eight colds a year — or more. The common cold sends more kids to the doctor than any other illness. Most colds are caused by a specific type of virus found in the air and on the things we touch. The prescription for the common cold is simple: time, rest, and TLC.

Signs and Symptoms

• stuffy or runny nose (may start out watery, then turn thick yellow or green)
• itchy or sore throat
• sneezing
• cough
• headache
• mild fever
• feeling tired
• loss of appetite

What to Do

• Ease discomfort with:
  • acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed (check package for correct amount)
  • a cool-mist humidifier or steamy bathroom
  • saline (saltwater) drops for the nostrils
  • gentle suction of nasal mucus using a bulb syringe when necessary
• Offer lots of fluids (breast milk or formula for babies; water and juice for older kids — but no caffeinated beverages).
• Never give cough or cold medicine to children under 2 years old. Call a doctor first for older kids.
• Never give aspirin to a child.

Seek Medical Care

If Your Child Has:

• cold symptoms that get worse or last more than a week
• cough and congestion triggered by pollen, dust, pets, etc.
• a barking cough or a cough that is severe and occurs in spasms
• difficulty breathing
• a high fever and appears ill; or any fever in a baby 3 months old or younger
• a sore throat that makes eating and drinking difficult
• a bad headache

Think Prevention!

Remind kids to:

• avoid anyone who has a cold or smokes (secondhand smoke increases kids’ risk of getting sick)
• wash hands well and often, especially after nose-blowing and playing with other kids
• sneeze and cough into shirtsleeves or tissues — not hands

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2014