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20611 Watertown Road Waukesha, WI 53186

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Monday - Thursday 8am-5pm
Friday 8am-4pm
Saturday 8am-10am

Evening Appointments available as late 6:45pm
Same Day Sick Appointments
Available Sat. Mornings

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Children’s Cold Facts and Treatments

Definition of Common Cold

A cold or Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) is a viral illness of the nose, throat, sinus passages, and upper airway.

Symptoms include any or all of the following: runny nose, congestion, sore throat, red and watery eyes, cough, hoarse voice, sneezing, listlessness, loss of appetite, fever, and headaches or body aches.
Preschoolers have an average of 5 - 10 colds a year, and those in daycare centers usually have more.
Colds usually last 7 - 10 days. Symptoms usually worsen for the first 3 - 4 days, then level off for several days, after which they improve. Coughs may last 2 - 3 weeks.
Colds are highly contagious and the viruses causing them are spread by air droplets from coughing and sneezing, and hand to mouth, or mouth to mouth contact. “Colds” are not caused by being cold.
Antibiotics like Penicillin or Amoxicillin are of no benefit for common colds and generally do not prevent complications.

Cool mist vaporizer to loosen secretions and cough. This is especially important for “croupy”, barking coughs.
In infants, nose suction with bulb syringe and salt water nose drops may be helpful. Nose drops (1/4 teaspoon salt in 4 ounces water, made daily) or commercially prepared Saline drops are instilled 2 - 3 drops in each nostril, one nostril at a time, and then suctioned out with a bulb syringe after a few seconds. This is best done before feedings and at bedtime.
Elevate the head of your child’s bed to make breathing easier during sleep.
Increase fluids: Pedialyte or pediatric electrolyte solution, juice, popsicles, etc.
Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen as needed for fever or discomfort. (See Fever.)
No medicines - antibiotics will not help. Cough and cold preparations are generally of no great benefit.

If your baby is less than 2 months with a fever of 100.5°F or greater by rectum.
If earache, chest pain, or sinus pain develops.
If there is difficulty breathing or wheezing.
For cough longer than 2 weeks.
A child less than 6 years coughs up green or gray sputum.
If fever lasts more than 72 hours.
When cough develops after swallowing an object.
If any other serious symptoms develop which concern you.