• Colds are caused by viral infections of the nose and throat.
• The average healthy child will experience between 6-10 colds a year.
• While colds are not serious, about 5-10 % of children will develop a bacterial complication (e.g. ear infection).

Typical Cold Symptoms

• Runny or congested nose—it’s okay for mucus to be clear, cloudy, yellow or even green!
• Fever of 100° F or greater that lasts for up to three days (72 hours)
• Sore throat or hoarseness
• Red, watery eyes
• Coughs that last up to three weeks

From Cold to Worse (When symptoms require a trip to GetzWell)

• Earache or discharge from the ear
• Fever that lasts more than three days
• Fever that went away for 24 hours and then returns
• Sore throat that lasts more than five days
• Coughs that last more than three weeks or a worsening cough
• Respiratory distress or wheezing

Treatment and Immune Support

• Comfort measures
  • Humidity—Try a cool-mist humidifier in the room and nasal saline drops to help moisten mucus membranes.  Suctioning mucus with a “nose frida” is often helpful.
  • Elevate the head while sleeping to reduce post-nasal drip stimulated coughs.  Fold blankets or towels under the crib mattress to elevate.
  • Increase fluids to help reduce congestion and prevent dehydration (milk counts too as it’s NOT linked to increased phlegm production).
• Immune Boosting Products and Treatments
  • Oscillococcinum: A homeopathic remedy that can safely be used at any age at both onset of cold symptoms and as weekly prevention during cold season.
  • Cold Calm: Another homeopathic medication that can be used at onset of cold symptoms at any age.
  • Echinacea/Eyebright: An herbal tincture that can be given daily during cold and flu season as a daily immune system booster.
  • Echinacea/Astragalus: An herbal tincture that can be given at the onset of a cold for deep immune support.
  • Probiotics: A daily supplement that helps to boost both the innate and acquired immune responses.
  • Chestal: A homeopathic cough medication that can be used to reduce cough (contains honey and shouldn’t be given to children less than one year due to risk of botulism).
  • Honey: A simple natural product found to be effective at suppressing cough (not for infants under one due to botulism).
• Over-the-Counter Products
  • There are NO cold and cough formulations approved by the FDA for use in children under four years old and in general they are ineffective at curing the common cold.
  • Ibuprofen can be given to reduce fever.  Please contact us for correct dosing as dosage should be based on a child’s weight, not age.

• When your child has a cold, make sure he/she gets plenty of rest and drinks extra fluids (water; herbal teas–chamomile or mint, even at room temperature, for those over 6 months; Pedialyte).
• Consider using saline nose drops to soften nasal mucus and temporarily dry up mucus membranes. Drops can be purchased or made at home (1/4 teaspoon of uniodized salt to 4 ounces or 1/2 cup of warm water). Use 2-3 drops per nostril at least four times a day or as often as needed for kids over 1 year. Children under age 1 need only one drop at a time.
• Use a suction bulb (small rubber bulbs with plastic tips work best) or the nosefrida (www.nosefrida.com) to clear the nose of a child too young to blow his own. Help or encourage an older child to blow his or her nose.
• Protect the skin around stuffy noses with Shea butter, Aquaphor, or Vaseline.
• If your child has a fever, read our Fever Phobia section. Consider giving him/her a tepid bath; don’t overdress/bundle your child if he or she is has a fever; ensure good liquid intake.
• Sore throats can be ameliorated (in children over 1 year) with chicken soup, lemon and honey mixed in equal quantities and heated until warm, herbal teas with honey and lemon.
• A recent study found that dark honey was as effective at curbing cough as OTC medicines marketed for cough.  A spoonful of honey at bedtime, or upon awakening due to cough, is worth trying for children over 1 year of age.
• Contact your pediatrician at the first signs of fever/illness for infants 4 months or younger.