Colds in the School-Age Child

The common cold is really an upper respiratory infection that inflames the lining of the nose and throat. For five to ten days your child's nose may be runny or stuffy, and his eyes may be red and watery. He may sneeze, cough, experience aches and pains and have a mild fever.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about how colds are transmitted from child to child. For example, despite myths to the contrary, you cannot catch colds from drafts, or from failing to wear a scarf or a heavy jacket in cool wet weather. Instead, colds are caused by viruses and are passed from one individual to another, usually through direct contact or by sharing objects such as utensils or handkerchiefs, as well as by coughs and sneezes. Colds are extremely contagious, particularly during the first day or two of the infection, when many of the symptoms may not yet be evident. Also, colds tend to be more prevalent in the fall and winter, when children are in school and are in closer contact with each other and the cold viruses.

Treating Colds

There is no cure for the common cold. But until the symptoms disappear, here is how to keep your child as comfortable as possible.

When your child has a cold and stuffy nose, he will tend to breathe through his mouth. This will dry his mouth and throat and also cause some increased loss of body water. Give him plenty of fluids, such as fruit juices and water.
Your child's appetite will probably decrease during the illness. Make sure he eats nutritious meals, even if they are small.
Use a clean, cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer to ease his stuffy nose.
Monitor his temperature and how he is feeling.
Give lots of tender loving care.

Colds do not respond to penicillin or other antibiotics, nor do they respond to most of the advertised cold medications. Although it may be appropriate to treat a fever, aspirin should never be given to a child with a fever because of its association with Reye's syndrome.

Also, take steps to keep your child's cold from spreading to others in your household. Teach your youngsters to wash their hands before meals. Encourage them to cover the mouth with a tissue when they sneeze or cough, and then dispose of the tissue immediately. Keep them from sharing eating utensils and drinking glasses.

Generally, colds are self-limiting and disappear on their own without complications. However, contact your pediatrician if your youngster develops ear pain or a severe sore throat, or has trouble breathing, or if the cold persists for more than ten days, or if a fever lasts longer than 48 hours. Children with colds may attend school as long as they feel well enough to participate.