Colds affect children much more than adults. They catch colds more frequently, their colds last longer and the symptoms are more severe. Unfortunately, children and colds go hand in hand.

A newborn infant loses whatever immunity it received from its mother within a few months and soon becomes susceptible to every cold virus. A child gains immunity from a cold virus only by catching the cold and developing antibodies. This process repeats itself dozens of times while the child is growing up until most of the common viruses are no longer a problem. That’s an awful lot of runny nose, sneezing and coughing.

What can I do to help?

As a parent we do not want to see our children suffering with a cold but our responsibility goes beyond helping them feel better when they are sick. We also need to safeguard their health, know when to seek professional medical help, and teach them good personal hygiene which helps to prevent colds in the first place.

Small children are not very good at personal hygiene but teach them three simple cold prevention rules as soon as possible and they will be rewarded with fewer colds. Use tissues to cover sneezes and coughing, avoiding touching the nose and eyes, and thoroughly wash their hands before eating. Doing more than this would help but these three habits are a good place to start.

Treating the cold symptoms

Most adults treat their colds by taking over-the-counter cold remedies. Think twice before treating your child’s cold the same way. Non-prescription medications will alleviate symptoms but they can impede recovery and they have serious side effects for small children. There are proven, safe and effective drug-free ways to alleviate your child’s cold symptoms without chemically suppressing part of the immune response.

Fever - Most children get a fever when they catch a cold. This is part of the body’s normal response when fighting an infection as it inhibits the growth of the virus. Unless your child is an infant, the fever should not be cause for alarm but you should monitor your child’s temperature and contact your doctor if it’s appropriate.

If your child is an infant under 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher, call your doctor. If your child is over 3 months old has a temperature of 102.2°F or higher, call your doctor. You should also contact your doctor if your child’s fever persists for more than 3 days regardless of the temperature or if your child exhibits symptoms other than the normal cold symptoms. You know your child. If they appear to be seriously ill, err on the side of caution.

Do not administer any medications to a infant under 3 months old without consulting your doctor. For older children, it is not advisable to treat a fever with a temperature of 102°F or lower with medication. Remember when you suppress the fever, you are actually helping the infection.

If the fever is 102.2°F or higher, then it can be treated with either Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen, but be very sure to administer the correct dosage according to your child’s age and weight. Do not give ASA (Aspirin) to anyone under the age of 18 as it has been linked to Reye Syndrome, a potentially fatal encephalitis-like illness.

Most often you can manage your child’s fever by taking a few simple precautions. Aches and chills usually accompany the onset of a fever because the body is adapting to the new temperature. A warm blanket will help at this time but as soon as your child feels hot, remove the warm blanket. Dress her in light clothing and when in bed, use only a sheet for a cover. Make sure she drinks plenty of fluids to replace water lost through perspiration and encourage her to rest or play quietly. Within 24 to 48 hours, you should see a noticeable improvement in both the fever and the cold.

Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing – A cold infection will cause glands in the nose and sinuses to produce more mucus, which helps to fight the infection by cleaning and moisturizing the nasal membranes. When the runny nose doesn’t keep up with the mucus production, the nasal passages become congested. Often the infection is very irritating and triggers the sneeze reflex.

A runny nose can be a nuisance but nasal congestion is more serious because it makes breathing difficult and increases the risk of middle ear infection. This is particularly true for infants. Do not administer over the counter decongestants to children under 2 years old. There is little evidence that they are effective in small children and an overdose can be dangerous. Antihistamines should not be administered at all because they are not effective in relieving congestion caused by a viral infection and they too have dangerous side effects.

Nasal congestion in children can usually be managed by making sure they drink plenty of fluids and by using a cool-mist vaporizer to raise the humidity in their room. This will help to thin the mucus which for older children, can be cleared by occasionally wiping or blowing the nose. For infants, use a nasal aspirator to suction the mucus from the nostrils. If necessary the mucus can be thinned with saline nose drops before aspirating.

Sore throat, coughing – Usually one of the first signs of a cold is a sore throat which is caused when the cold virus infects the throat area and causes the tissues to become inflammed. Coughing normally follows later. Increased mucus production often results in post nasal drip and mucus accumulating in the throat. This triggers the cough reflex which clears the mucus from the airways. This type of cough is productive and should not be suppressed.

The effectiveness of cough medicines on small children is questionable but the risk of side effects is very real. Over the counter cough medicines should not be given to children under 2 years old. As with other cold symptoms, you should keep the air moist with a humidifer and encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids and rest.

For children over 1 year old, a warm drink of honey and lemon in water can provide temporary relief from the sore throat and coughing and may help them to fall asleep at night. Honey should not be given to children under the age of one.

Aromatherapy and your child’s cold

Essential oils have been used for centuries for the holistic treatment of colds and similar respiratory tract illnesses. Several oils are ideally suited for this purpose and of these, Lavender is the safest to use with small children. Lavender is a complex oil with many wonderful healing properties. It is an antiviral agent, an immune booster, an analgesic (pain reducer), anti-inflammatory and is also relaxing.

While steam inhalation and baths are good ways to administer essential oil treatments in adults and older children, children under 6 years of age should be treated by diffusing the oil into the air in their room or by massage. Diffusion can be accomplished by adding 3 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming hot water or by simply adding the essential oil to the water in the reservoir of your humidifier.

A therapeutic massage just before bedtime is a good way to relieve the discomfort of your child’s cold and prepare her for a good night’s rest. Create a massage blend by adding 3 drops of Lavender essential oil to 1 ounce of Sweet Almond oil and massage gently over the back and chest.

The cold symptoms of fever, runny nose, sneezing and coughing are part of the body’s defense mechanisms for combating a cold infection. Our best option for speedy recovery is to avoid over the counter cold remedies that only provide temporary relief by suppressing the immune response. This is particularly true for children because side effects are a serious risk. You can help your little ones weather the cold by using natural, drug-free ways to manage the symptoms. Caring for a sick child requires more attention and care than usual. Always be mindful of behavior or symptoms that indicate that you should see your pediatrician and always see your doctor if your sick child is under 3 months old.