A cold start when children have a general feeling of not being well. This is often followed by a sore throat, congestion, runny nose or cough. At the beginning, the sore throat is due to a buildup of mucus. Later, your child may get a postnasal drip -- when the mucus runs down the back of their nose to the throat.
Colds are caused by viruses in the upper respiratory tract. Many young children—especially those in child-care—can get 6 to 8 colds per year. Symptoms of a cold may last for up to ten days.
The US Food and Drug Administration, and drug makers say you shouldn't give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines such as cough suppressants, expectorant, decongestants and antihistamines to children under 4 years because coughing is the body’s natural way of helping rid itself of the cold virus.
However, if you notice that your child has a high fever, vomiting, chills and shakes, a hacking cough, any respiratory distress, or extreme fatigue, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
