Caring for a Child during Cold Weather

staff
August 6, 2020
Child Well Being / Medical / Health Tips
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Nothing is worse than seeing a small child sneezing, coughing, and trying to breathe with a stuffed up nose. Even if it’s clear all he/she has is a common cold, as a parent or caregiver one will want to do all you can to help them feel better and ensure they get better as quickly as possible.

How do cold spread?

Children can catch cold from siblings, parents, other family members, playmates or caregivers. Germs usually spread in one of three ways:

Direct contact- such as kissing, touching or holding hands—with an infected person. If one has a virus, the person will have germs in his/her nose, mouth, eyes and on the hands. By touching other people, they can pass on the virus.

Indirect contact means touching something eg, a toy, doorknob or a used tissue that has been touched by an infected person and now has germs on it. Some germs, including those that cause cold and diarrhea, can stay on surfaces for many hours.

Some germs spread through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. Droplets from the cough or sneeze can reach another person’s nose or mouth.

What to do if a child has a cold.

There is no cure for the common cold. Cold usually last about 1 week but can continue for as long as 2 weeks. They usually go away on their own.

Keep your child as comfortable as possible.
Offer plenty of fluids and small nutritious meals.
Check your child’s temperature.
Reprofen Suspension can be used for children over 6 months old and above
If your baby or toddler is having trouble breastfeeding because of a stuffed-up nose, use a suction bulb to clear mucus from the nose.