Children under the age of 2 get an average of 8 to 10 colds per year. They may have more if they are in daycare or are exposed to older children in their households.
Many types of viruses cause colds. These viruses can spread through close contact with an infected individual.

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nasal stuffiness
• Fever

There' s no cure for the common cold, but luckily, colds can easily be managed at home. Some things you can do for children of all ages during a cold are:

• Encourage increased hand washing
• Encourage increased fluid intake
• Give a fever reducer / pain reliever such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin)
• Give decongestants or cold medicines

Cold symptoms often resolve on their own in around one week. You should see your child' s health care provider if your child:

• Has a persistent cough for more than seven days
• Loses his / her appetite for a few days or refuses several feedings
• Runs a fever for more than threedays
• Seems excessively irritable
• Seems unusually sleepy or hard to awaken
• Has a fever

If your baby is younger than 3 months and has a fever of 100.4F or greater, it is important to have your health care provider see your child right away.

If you have any questions about your child's health, please do not hesitate to call or come into our clinic and speak with the nurse practitioner or pediatrician.