What's Up Doc? What can I do about my child getting a cold?

  • Published
  • By Maj. (Dr.) Amy Parker
  • 47th Medical Group
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The common cold (or URI) can be prevented by avoiding contact with those who are ill, frequent hand-washing and covering one's mouth when sneezing or coughing, preferably with the crook of your arm or your sleeve.

Dry mucous membranes, the skin inside noses and mouths, can be more prone to infection, so run a humidifier if the air is dry. For more serious URIs caused by the influenza virus, the flu vaccine can help prevent those and their more serious complications.

Your child should be seen by a health care provider if:

1) Their symptoms suddenly worsen
2) The child is unable to drink adequate amounts because of symptoms
3) Breathing becomes difficult and doesn't improve with clearing the nose
4) Fever lasts more than five days or remains higher than 102.5 degrees F for more than three days
5) Their eyes are red and develop yellow drainage
6) There is ear or sinus pain
7) A sore throat lasts more than five days
8) Either cough or nasal congestion lasts more than three weeks

In the next article, we'll discuss treatments for the common cold.