Friday, June 4, 2010

Common Cold in children




Running nose,sneezes,sore throat and annoying cough, the common cold catches all children from time to time.It is one of the most common illnesses that affect children. 
Most children have three to ten episodes a year, and it can cause a lot of misery, school absenteeism, and expense. The disease itself is mild, and children recover with treatment, without treatment, and in spite of treatment. !!


WHAT IS THE CAUSE ?
Almost all colds are caused by viruses. The most common culprit is the rhinovirus. Other viruses that also cause the common cold are coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, reovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. While we often worry about a child having a throat infection (strep throat), the typical cold is quite different from that bacterial infection.


HOW IT SPREAD?
People with colds release the virus from the nose  by nose blowing and sneezing. These viruses then settle on doorknobs, toys, table tops, etc, and reach the hands of other people. From the hands, they are carried to the mouth or nose, and start an infection. The cold viruses can also be breathed in.
Children are more prone to get such infections, because:


  • Their immunity is lower.They share toys and other virus sources.
  • They get intimate with friends.
  • The wash hands less frequently than adults.


Despite what we have believed for a long time, getting chilled or wet does not cause a cold. Colds are also not spread by cold weather, changes in the weather, open windows, or various types of food.


WHAT IS THE SYMPTOMS?

  • Nasal discharge — at first watery, then thick.
  • Nasal stuffiness and difficulty in breathing, feeding, and sleeping.
  • Fever.
  • Restlessness.
  • Feeling unwell, tired, and miserable.
  • Poor appetite.
  • Pain throat.
  • Cough.
  • Headache and bodyache.
  • Poor sleep.
  • Eye redness, irritation, and watering.          


WHAT IS THE COMPLICATIONS ?



Most children who have colds do not develop complications. However, parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of potential complications.
Ear infection — Between 5 and 15 percent of children with a cold develop a bacterial or viral ear infection. If a child develops a fever (temperature greater than 100.4º F or 38º C) after the first three days of cold symptoms, an ear infection may be to blame.
Asthma — Colds can cause wheezing in children who have not wheezed before, or worsening of asthma in children who have a history of this condition.
Sinusitis — Children who have nasal congestion that does not improve over the course of 14 days may have a bacterial sinus infection.
Pneumonia — Children who develop a fever after the first three days of cold symptoms may have bacterial pneumonia, especially if the child also has a cough and is breathing rapidly.

WHEN TO VISIT YOUR DOCTOR ?




  • Very high or prolonged fever.
  • Behavior changes, including irritability or lethargy (decreased responsiveness); this usually requires immediate medical attention.
  • Poor feeding/eating.
  • Fast breathing — this is an emergency.
  • Cold persisting over 2 weeks.
  • Severe earache

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT ?

The secret is to amuse the child till the cold gets better. Strong medicine is not really required;
indeed,no medicine is required to cure it.
Some things do help, though. The child often has high fever on the first day or two of a cold. Fever medicine like paracetamol (acetaminophen) can bring down the fever, and relieve the headache and bodyache these children often have.
A blocked nose can be very uncomfortable. Small babies, especially, find it hard to breathe, breastfeed, and sleep. Salt water or decongestant nose drops provide quick relief, and are quite safe when used for short periods.
cough syrup with antihistaminics may help.
To antibiotic or not?  Almost all colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics have no effect on them unless there is a bacterial complication. Also, most colds are at their worst for a couple of days, and then get better on their own. Antibiotics do not reduce the duration of the illness, or reduce the complications. These drugs are expensive, have side effects, and frequent use helps the germs to become resistant, which is a problem for all of us.

HOW TO PREVENT IT ?




Simple hygiene measures can help to prevent infection with the viruses that cause colds. These measures include:
  • Hand washing is an essential and highly effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Hands should be wet with water and plain soap, and rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. It is not necessary to use antibacterial hand soap. Teach children to wash their hands before and after eating and after coughing or sneezing.
  • Alcohol-based hand rubs are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Hand rubs should be spread over the entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists until dry, and may be used several times. These rubs can be used repeatedly without skin irritation or loss of effectiveness.
  • It may be difficult or impossible to completely avoid people who are ill, although parents should try to limit direct contact. In addition, infants or children who are sick should not be sent to day care or school as this can potentially cause others to become ill.
  • Using a household cleaner that kills viruses (such as phenol/alcohol) may help to reduce viral transmission.

THEN WHAT IS "FLU" ??

FLU/Influenza is an acute infection caused by any of three types of viruses (A, B, or C). Type A strains are associated with the most severe disease. Many people confuse influenza or flu with the common cold. In 2009, a new type A strain emerged called H1N1. Because there is little immunity in the human population, to the H1N1 strain, it has the ability to spread easily from person to person worldwide and sicken even more people than a usual seasonal strain. When this happens, it is called a pandemic.




Flu vs. Colds: By Symptoms
QuestionsFluCold
Was the onset of illness …sudden?slow?
Does your child have a …high fever?no (or mild) fever?
Is your child's exhaustion level …severe?mild?
Is your child's head …achy?headache-free?
Is your child's appetite …decreased?normal?
Are your child's muscles …achy?fine?
Does your child have …chills?no chills?