Colds - the most common disease among children of all ages. Although it is a viral disease of the respiratory tract does not last more than a week, many children tolerate it pretty hard.
The common cold is an acute respiratory viral disease that leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the upper respiratory tract. Colds can cause more than two hundred viruses, but most colds are rhinoviruses pathogens. As the cold - a viral infection, antibiotics are not appropriate to treat it as intended to bacterial infections.
Colds in children (except infants) are not a threat to their health or life. Colds are usually held for four - ten days without any specific treatment. Due to the large number of viruses which can lead to colds, and the emergence of new viruses and new forming immunity to colds viruses impossible.
Sometimes fatigue, stress
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or a certain type of cold virus contribute to the development of bacterial infection in certain parts of the body organs and child (lung, throat, ears or sinuses). Bacterial infection weakens the immune system of the body and requires antibiotic treatment
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.
Symptoms of the common cold in children
In most cases, the common cold in children begins suddenly. The child wakes up with a stuffy nose, cough, and fever. Fatigue - another common symptom of a cold. Because of the common cold and nasal congestion child often feels sore throat. The cold virus can spread to the sinuses, throat, bronchi and the ears of a child. With a cold in children is often described as diarrhea and vomiting.
In the early stages of the disease the child may be very irritable, complaining of a headache and flushing. By meree progression of colds and nasal mucus becomes darker and denser. The child often appears as a mild cough that can last for several days.
How often children are colds?
According to statistics, that preschool children suffer from colds about nine times a year, the children of kindergarten age - up to twelve times a year, and adolescents and adults - at least eight times a year. The incidence increases during the cold season, from September to March (April), and children usually suffer from cold during these months.
How can you prevent colds in children?
The best way of preventing colds in children - compliance with the rules of hygiene. Teach your child to wash their hands after coming back from the street or from contact with other people. Cold viruses are transmitted mainly by contact, such as shaking hands or touching.
Colds are also spread through contaminated objects, including door handles, stair railings, books, pens, video game consoles, as well as a computer keyboard and mouse. The cold virus can exist on infected objects in a few hours - enough time that the child touched the object and then the dirty hand rubbed his nose or eyes.
Studies show that frequent hand washing is really lowers the risk of colds. Teach your child to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after playing in school or at home. Hands should be washed with warm soapy water for at least twenty seconds - that is how much time you need to wash the hands of disease-causing microbes.
If a child has a cold sick, it is important to prevent the spread of the virus and protect others from infection. If you notice a child's cold symptoms, leave it at home until they are cured, to avoid contact with other children. Teach your child when sneezing or coughing to cover his mouth with his hand or a handkerchief, and then be sure to wash your hands with soap and water to prevent the spread of the virus.
Treatment of the common cold in children
Colds - self-limiting disease. Typically, it passes by itself without a particular treatment. Home treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and includes the following:
- a good rest;
- excessive drinking;
- Use a humidifier in the child's bedroom at night. Moist air helps clear the airway of the child from mucus and sputum, thereby facilitating breathing;
- receiving acetaminophen or ibuprofen
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To bring down temperature
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and reduce soreness.
Do not let the cold sick children or teenagers aspirin, especially if they have a fever. Aspirin increases the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare disorder that occurs almost exclusively in children under the age of fifteen years. Rice syndrome can cause severe liver disease and brain.
Before giving your child under six years of any medications for colds, consult your doctor. For the treatment of nasal congestion in small children, use a nasal spray designed specifically for children.