For the past week you have wiped your child’s runny nose, then listened to them cough in their sleep, but how do you know if it is a cold or an allergy? Your child has been looking and feeling miserable, and you want to help them feel better, but you are not sure how to categorize their symptoms as a cold or allergies. If this is the case, you are not alone. Many parents become confused about the proper way to treat a coughing, sneezing child, because colds and allergies often have overlapping symptoms. When in doubt, talk to your Woodbridge pediatrician who will know exactly what is causing your child’s symptoms, especially if they are persistent or worsen with time.
Cold and Upper Respiratory Infections
Colds, upper respiratory infection, and URIs are common terms used to describe viral illnesses that cause nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, and cough. A fever will typically last for 2-3 days, and the cough with congestion and runny nose may last for 5-10 days. The typical preschool-age child may experience 6-10 colds per year. Most colds resolve on their own with rest and fluids, but some may lead to ear infections, sinus infections, asthma attacks, or other complications.