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Colds

Care at Home
  1. For a Runny Nose With Profuse Discharge: Blow or Suction the Nose.
    • The nasal mucus and discharge is washing viruses and bacteria out of the nose and sinuses.
    • Blowing the nose is all that's needed. For younger children use nasal suction.
    • Apply petroleum jelly to the nasal openings to protect them from irritation (cleanse the skin first).
  2. For a Blocked Nose: Use Nasal Washes.
    • Use warm water OR saline nose drops to loosen up the dried mucus followed by child blowing or parent suctioning.
    • Instill 2-3 drops in each nostril. (Caution: if < 1 year old, use 1 drop at a time) Do 1 side at a time.
    • Repeat nosedrops until clear.
    • Do nasal washes at least 4 times a day or whenever your child can't breathe through the nose.
    • Saline nosedrops - add ½ teaspoon of table salt to 1 cup (8 oz.) of warm water.
    • Importance: A young infant can't nurse or drink from a bottle unless the nose is open.
    • Note: Most stuffy noses are blocked by dried/sticky mucus and suction alone or blowing the nose cannot remove it.
    • Use a wet cotton swab to remove mucus that's very sticky.
  3. Humidifier: If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier.
  4. Medicines: Most cold medicines are not helpful. They can't remove dried mucus from the nose. Antihistamines are only helpful if your child also has nasal allergies. Antibiotics are not helpful unless your child develops an ear or sinus infection.
  5. Treatment for Associated Symptoms of Colds:
    • Fever:
      • Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for muscle aches, headaches, or
        fever above 102°F (39° C).
      • See dosage charts.
      • Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
      • Do not use products containing aspirin.
    • Sore Throat: Use warm chicken broth if over 1 year old and hard candy for children over 6 old.
    • Cough: Use cough drops for children over 6 years old, and corn syrup (2 to 5 ml) for younger children over 1 year old.
    • Red Eyes: Rinse eyelids frequently with wet cotton balls.
  6. Contagiousness: Your child can return to day care or school after the fever is gone and your child feels well enough to participate in normal activities. For practical purposes, the spread of colds cannot be prevented.
  7. Expected Course: Fever 2-3 days, nasal discharge 7-14 days, cough 2-3 weeks.
  8. IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
  1. Symptom Description
  2. Should I Call?

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000-2008. Barton D. Schmitt, MD
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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