Cold – baby

Cold – baby: causes

A common cold can be caused by over 200 different types of viruses. They are transmitted by coughing, sneezing or speaking by the smallest saliva droplets from infected people to others (droplet infection). Viruses can also survive on the skin and on surfaces for extended periods of time. If they are on their hands and drive the child through the face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth, they get into the body (smear infection).

In particular, children often play with each other when they play with the same toy, jostle with each other or use the same or harness. It is therefore particularly important that you keep an eye on the baby and toddler during a cold and pay attention to strict hygiene. This is true both when your child is ill and when someone else from the household is suffering from a cold.

Toddler or schoolchild should not go to kindergarten or school while they have a cold, in order to reduce the risk of infection for other children. After each nose brushing, hands should be washed with a cold. Baby and toddler do not have any sense of hygiene themselves and, for example, use used handkerchiefs and play with them.

Certain factors can increase the risk of catching a baby and toddler cold. These include stress, irregular sleeping patterns and other illnesses. These factors lower the functioning of the immune system. A cold occurs especially during the cold autumn and winter months. Cold feet or hands can increase the risk of illness once again. Particularly at risk are children with a congenital immune deficiency.

Cold – baby: symptoms

Between the infection and the outbreak of the disease are about two to five days (incubation period). In this time, while still showing symptoms, the common cold is already contagious.

At the beginning of the cold, most children feel tired and tired. The first signs may be when your child suddenly stops playing and prefers to go to bed or is noticeably quiet. A cold in infants is often manifested by the baby crying and crying more than usual and having difficulty calming down. Typically, when you catch a cold, your baby and child will experience the following symptoms:

• sniff
• sneezing
• to cough

In addition, in a cold baby and toddler can suffer from fever, headache and body aches. The fever is not as high as with a flu or a bacterial infection. Usually the body temperature does not rise above 39 degrees. Fever in a cold baby and toddler more often than adults. It is considered a natural protective mechanism against the pathogens.

When coughing, sneezing or runny nose, an aqueous secretion is ejected at the beginning. In the course of the cold, it becomes thicker. Since the virus and the entire organism are weakened anyway, an additional infection with bacteria often occurs. Doctors speak of a secondary or superinfection. A bacterial infection can be recognized by the fact that in a cold baby and toddler cough up mucus, which is greenish-yellow and no longer clear.

Frequently, the nasal mucous membranes are so swollen that the child gets only heavy air in a cold. Baby and toddler frequently breathe through their mouths. In contrast to the symptoms in adults, their eyes are often red. Baby and toddler also suffer from painful swollen and touch-sensitive lymph nodes, especially in the neck area. However, this swelling is not dangerous and forms after a cold that has survived by itself back on its own.

Cold – baby: complications

Affecting a cold Baby and toddler may experience various complications just as with adults. Most of these are due to an additional bacterial infection and are not primarily the result of the common cold. Baby and toddler most often get an additional ear infection. In addition, tonsillitis (tonsillitis) or sinusitis (sinusitis) can often occur. First signs of tonsillitis are a scratchy sensation in the throat and sore throat. Often babies and children refuse to eat because of the severe pain. The resulting pain is often confused with toothache as it can be poorly localized.

Cold -Baby: Diagnosis

In most cases, baby and toddler do not need to be examined by a doctor for a mild cold. Symptoms usually disappear by themselves within a week. However, you should consult a pediatrician if the symptoms persist for longer than usual or if there are unclear discomforts than usual for a cold. Infants and toddlers under the age of three having signs of a cold should always be examined by a pediatrician. In babies you should consult the doctor if any of the following occurs:

• drinking refusal
• Scream
• extreme slackness to apathy
• breathing problems
• persistent cough
• Fever over 38.5 degrees

First, the pediatrician will record the medical history (medical history). Of course, the parents provide information to babies. Kindergarten children should first speak to the doctor, if possible. Then the parents can help. Also, be aware of behavioral changes in your child, especially in a baby.

Cold or flu are often difficult to detect in infants. Accurate observation can help. During the conversation, the doctor can ask questions like:

• Since when does your child cough?
• What does the expectoration look like when you cough or clean your nose? What color and consistency does he have?
• Is your child suffering from a fever every time you catch a cold?
• Have you already given medication?

Symptoms other than those commonly associated with the common cold require flu and other conditions. First, the doctor performs a physical examination. He looks with a wooden spatula in his mouth, whether he can detect, for example, deposits in the throat area. In addition, he will listen to your child’s back and chest (to exclude pneumonia, for example). If a bacterial infection is suspected, the doctor will take a blood sample. This will help him determine which pathogen is responsible for the symptoms and decide which treatment is right.

Cold – baby: treatment

In general, the baby and toddler are treated differently in the case of a cold. In babies, certain substances may not be used. As a rule, it is sufficient to relieve the symptoms “from the outside”. A drug therapy is needed only in the rarest cases.

In children, the common cold is usually the symptom that most affects them. The mucous membranes are still very sensitive in small children. That’s why:

• Do not use essential oils and substances such as Japanese medicinal oil, camphor or menthol.
• Use isotonic saline as an inhalation or as a nasal spray.
• Use decongestant nose drops that have been specially developed for babies.
• To prevent the skin from getting sore, you can apply Vaseline in the event of a cold.
• If you put a towel or a flat pillow under your head when sleeping, your mucus will be easier to cough up in the airways.

You can give cough syrup for the cough. In addition, your child should drink a lot when the airways are congested. Warm herbal teas are especially suitable here. Fennel or elder tea is good on babies and infants.

Fever in babies

If your child experiences a fever, various recommendations apply depending on the age of the child: For babies under three months of age, you should consult a doctor from a temperature of 37.8 ° C. In older children, scores above 38 degrees indicate illness. Up to 38.5 degrees doctors speak of elevated temperature, all values ​​above are considered a fever. From there it is for children: off to bed! If your child’s skin feels hot and your child is sweating, just cover it with a light blanket and put on only a thin pajamas.

Febrile seizures

In about five percent of all children between five months and six years who have a fever, a so-called febrile convulsion occurs at least once in the course of the disease. At the same time, the child suddenly appears as if he were absent, uncontrollable twitching can occur, the eyes are twisted and some even briefly lose consciousness. Then you should immediately call an ambulance. As a rule, a febrile convulsion remains without consequences. However, if it occurs frequently, it can be a sign of a more serious illness.

Lower fever

You should only give fever-reducing agents in limited quantities. The fever is a natural reaction of the body to ward off the pathogens. Too rapid falling off of the fever can therefore even be harmful. From a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius calf wrap can help to lower the temperature. You should only use lukewarm, no cold water. Change the wrap after about half an hour and do not leave it for more than an hour around the calves. Fever suppositories should only be used in consultation with the pediatrician, if at all.

In adults, colds often use aspirin or novalgin as antipyretics. These drugs are children under any circumstances get! They can lead to permanent damage in children! Suitable antipyretic agents for children are only acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Before you administer these, you should discuss with a pediatrician or a trained pharmacist the correct dosage. Excessive administration can also cause lasting damage to your child.

Earache in a cold indicates middle ear infection. In mild cases, nasal sprays or a pain-relieving fever can help. If the pain persists and your child torments, you should consult a doctor. Earache can be treated with various antibiotics.

More tips for a cold

Baby and toddler should not be left alone for too long with a cold. Look regularly for your child. If you have a fever you should also measure the temperature regularly. If your child’s condition allows it, you can go with him for half an hour a day in the fresh air – even with a baby.

Colds and their symptoms, such as sore throats, can also be alleviated by maintaining a relatively high level of humidity in the nursery. For example, damp cloths on the heating or a bowl of water on a cupboard help. You should absolutely avoid that your child comes into contact with tobacco smoke, as this additionally damages the mucous membranes.

Otherwise: do not frolic or play with other children during a cold. Baby and toddler should best stay in bed for a few days. For older children, you should also pay attention to regular hand washing. Teach your child to throw away his used handkerchiefs immediately and explain that you do not sneeze or cough in the air.

Cold – Baby: Prognosis

A cold in babies and children is usually harmless and stops after about one to two weeks. Children can catch a cold many times a year. A cold is not dangerous in general. In rare cases, however, complications may occur that require medical treatment. These include eye, sinus, middle ear, throat or pneumonia.

A doctor’s visit is advisable if, in the case of a cold, baby and toddler show symptoms that are not classically associated with the common cold. This can be very severe sore throat (often accompanied by refusal to eat), a wheezing cough, or earache. In addition, you should see a doctor if your child is severely affected, has a high fever, or does not get well after a week. Maybe then a therapy with antibiotics is required (against the bacterial infection). Babies with a cold younger than half a year should always be presented to a pediatrician.

Cold – Baby: Prevent

It is best to prevent a cold in infants and children by avoiding any contact (own and that of your child) with sick people. If someone from the family is ill, you should make sure that used handkerchiefs and used dishes or toothbrushes are not lying around and your baby can play with it. Especially in winter, large crowds represent a potential hazard, as one of the mass certainly carries a cold in itself. So try, if possible, to avoid such crowds. Also pay attention to hygiene. Wash your hands and your baby or child regularly. If you are on the road for a long time, it may also make sense to disinfect your hands in between.

In winter you should make sure that your offspring are always dressed warm enough. Although cold can not cause a cold, it reduces the resistance of the mucous membranes to pathogens. If your child has cold hands or feet for a long time, viruses can penetrate the mucous membranes more effectively and it will be faster Cold.

infant and toddlers should also build up a strong immune system as early as possible. Pay attention to a varied, vitamin and nutrient-rich diet. In addition, you should go with your child regularly in the fresh air. Exercise also strengthens the immune system.