Common cold
Common cold is a viral infection of your baby's nose and throat. Nasal congestion and a runny nose are the main signs of a cold. Babies are especially likely to get the common cold, in part because they're often around older children. Also, they have not yet developed immunity to many common infections. Within the first year of life, most babies have six to eight colds. They may have even more if they're in child care centers.
Treatment for the common cold in babies involves easing their symptoms, such as by providing fluids, keeping the air moist, and helping them keep their nasal passages open. Very young infants must see a doctor at the first sign of the common cold to make sure croup, pneumonia, or other more serious illnesses aren't present.
Symptoms
The first signs of the common cold in a baby are often:
- A congested or runny nose
- Nasal discharge that may be clear at first but might thicken and turn yellow or green
Other signs and symptoms of a common cold in a baby may include:
- Fever
- 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. Most colds are simply a nuisance, but it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor.
If your baby is younger than 3 months of age, call the doctor early in the illness. In newborns, it's especially important to make sure that a more serious illness isn't present, especially if your baby has a fever.
If your baby is 3 months old or older, call the doctor if your baby:
- 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 or wheezing
- Has a persistent cough
- Has thick, green nasal discharge for several days
- Has other signs or symptoms that worry you, such as an unusual or alarming cry or not waking up to eat
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 mucus
- Has difficulty breathing or is bluish around the lips
- Has unusually low energy or sleepiness
By recognizing the symptoms early and knowing when to seek medical help, you can ensure your baby gets the appropriate care and comfort needed to recover from a common cold.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021). Common cold in babies. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Caring for Your Baby and Young Child. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Common Cold. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
