Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system; these viruses may intrude into the throat, nose, ears, sinuses and sometimes the eyes. A cold is transmitted from person to person by touch or sometimes by objects (blankets, toys etc). A usual cold lasts five to ten days. Children are more likely to catch a cold when they are run down, allergy prone or weakening their immune system (with high sugar, refined foods). Most colds occur in winter usually between October to February. Many doctors believe children under six years of age get as many as seven colds a year, older children usually get four to five colds a year.

If a child seems to have a temperature over 102F this is probably the flu with other symptoms being an achy feeling throughout the body. At the most contagious stage of a cold discharge from the nose is watery. When the secretion turns a thick greenish, yellowish color that means the discharge is full of dead white blood cells (immune cells), dead viral particles and dead bacteria. This is a sign of healing and the last stage of the cold.

When you See Your Doctor

• If your child ever shows signs of: rapid breathing, gasping, wheezing, respiratory distress, pale or bluish skin color, unusual lethargy or high fever this may be a serious infection and needs medical attention immediately.
• If a fever persists or if it returns again after several days there may be a bacterial infection.
• If the cold does not clear up in a week, if symptoms get worse, of if your child develops a rash or strange cough.
• If your child has a chronic stuffy nose with greenish discharge this may be a sign of a sinus infection.

Conventional Treatment
There is no cure for the common cold so treatments will only ease the suffering (aches and pains) or bring down fever. Unfortunately many of the drugs used to treat colds have side effects. For instance acetaminophen (found in Tylenol) in excessive amounts can cause liver damage.

Do not give aspirin to a child or teenager with a cold or viral disease as this has been known to cause a dangerous liver disease.

Please read labels of any over the counter drug you may give to your child and talk to your doctor of the possible side effects.

Nutrition and Recommendations
Have your child follow a simple diet, usually children are happy eating simple foods when they are not feeling well. Foods such as soups (vegetable or chicken soup) applesauce, herbal teas (chamomile tea).

Ensure they are drinking lots of fluids. Limit refined sugars, which will inhibit the body from healing. Avoid dairy, which can increase mucous. Watch out for fatty, greasy foods, which are difficult to digest in normal circumstances, and therefore will be even harder when your child is suffering from a cold.

Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to ease the course of a cold.
Give a child one dose of Vitamin C three times daily for three days. You want to avoid chewable Vitamin C as this can cause erosion to your children’s teeth.

Zinc can also help boost your child’s immune system. Choose a lozenge or chewable tablet made without sugar.
Give one tablet once a day for three days.

Bioflavonoids are also an excellent supplement for your child’s immunity.
Follow the recommended dosage on the label.

Herbal baths, herbal rubs and herbal steams can be great ways to help your child decongest (eucalyptus, peppermint or thyme).

You may want to humidify your child’s room (ensure the humidifier is clean and use clean demineralised water) and make sure the room is aired out allowing fresh air in the room (without your child being chilled).

There are many herbal remedies that can be very effective depending on the type of cold you may want to speak with a local herbalist regarding this. One effective herb at the first sign of a cold is Anas barbariae.