Common cold in babies
DEFINITION
A common cold is a viral infection of your baby’s nose and throat. Nasal congestion and a runny nose are the primary signs of common cold in babies.
Babies are especially susceptible to the common cold, in part because they’re often around other older children who don’t always wash their hands. Also, they have yet to develop immunity to many common infections. Within the first year of life, most babies have up to seven colds.
Treatment for the common cold in babies involves easing their symptoms, such as by providing plenty of fluids and keeping the air moist. Very young infants must see a doctor at the first sign of the common cold because they’re at greater risk of croup and pneumonia.
CAUSES
The common cold is an infection of the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract infection) that can be caused by one of more than 100 viruses. The rhinovirus and coronavirus are common culprits and are highly contagious.
Once your baby has been infected by a virus, he or she generally becomes immune to that specific virus. But because there are so many viruses that cause colds, your baby may have several colds a year and many throughout his or her lifetime. Also, there are some viruses that don’t produce lasting immunity.
A common cold virus enters your baby’s body through his or her mouth or nose. Your baby may be infected with such a virus by:
- Air. When someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks, he or she may directly spread the virus to your baby.
- Direct contact. The common cold can spread when someone who is sick touches his or her mouth or nose and then touches your baby’s hand. Your baby can then become infected by touching his or her own eyes, nose or mouth.
- Contaminated surfaces. Some viruses can live on surfaces for two hours or longer. Your baby may catch a virus by touching a contaminated surface, such as a toy.
SYMPTOMS
The first indication of the common cold in a baby is often:
- A congested or runny nose
- Nasal discharge that may be clear at first but then usually becomes thicker and turns shades of yellow or green
- Other signs of a common cold may include:
- A low-grade fever of about 100.4 F (38 C)
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trouble nursing or taking a bottle due to nasal congestion
When to see a doctor
Your baby’s immune system will need time to mature. If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days.
If your baby is younger than 2 to 3 months of age, call the doctor early in the illness. For newborns, a common cold can quickly develop into croup, pneumonia or another serious illness. Even without such complications, a stuffy nose can make it difficult for your baby to nurse or drink from a bottle. This can lead to dehydration. As your baby gets older, your doctor can guide you on when your baby needs to be seen by a doctor and when you can treat his or her cold at home.
Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it’s important to take your baby’s signs and symptoms seriously.
If your baby is 3 months old or older, call the doctor if he or she:
- Isn’t wetting as many diapers as usual
- Has a temperature higher than 100.4 F (38 C)
- Seems to have ear pain or is unusually irritable
- Has red eyes or develops yellow or greenish eye discharge
- Has trouble breathing
- Has a persistent cough
- Has thick, green nasal discharge for several days
- Has any other signs or symptoms that worry you
- Seek medical help immediately if your baby:
- Refuses to nurse or accept fluids
- Coughs hard enough to cause vomiting or changes in skin color
- Coughs up blood-tinged sputum
- Has difficulty breathing or is bluish around the lips and mouth
