Cold Specialist

What are colds?

A virus causes colds that affect your nose, throat, or upper respiratory tract. While usually harmless, colds can lead to troublesome symptoms in children when left untreated. Colds can sometimes bring serious complications. This especially holds true for kids with allergies or asthma. 

At the first sign of an ongoing cough or other unpleasant cold-like symptoms, see the experts at Cardinal Pediatrics for an evaluation.

What are the symptoms of colds?

Common symptoms of colds include:

• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Low-grade fever
• Sneezing
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Feeling unwell

Complications that sometimes occur with colds include wheezing if your child has asthma, ear infections, sinus infections, or other types of infections. Colds typically go away on their own after about 7-10 days.

What are the risk factors for colds?

Colds are spread from person to person through air droplets formed by sneezing, coughing, or talking. Your child can also catch a cold by touching shared surfaces or sharing personal items with an infected person. 

Infants and young children have a higher risk of catching a cold, especially children with weak immune systems and children exposed to secondhand smoke. Cold and flu season is typically in the fall and winter, but kids can get colds any time of the year.

Prevention measures include frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with people who are sick with colds. Encourage your child to avoid touching their face with their hands. 

Adopt healthy habits, such as getting plenty of sleep and regular exercise, as well as eating nutritious foods and taking multivitamin supplements. 

How does my child’s provider diagnose colds?

The Cardinal Pediatrics team diagnoses colds after reviewing your child’s medical history, discussing their symptoms, and completing a physical exam. They listen to your child’s breathing and may order nasal swabs, throat swabs, or chest X-rays to check for additional problems. 

How are colds treated?

Most of the time, providers treat colds by reducing unpleasant symptoms and offering guidance for proper at-home care. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest, drinks a lot of fluids, and eats nutritious foods. 

Your provider might prescribe medications as your child recovers from a cold. You might try saline nasal drops or sprays to reduce nasal congestion. Make sure your child takes their allergy medication or uses an inhaler as needed if they have asthma. 

To get your child relief from unpleasant cold symptoms, call the Cardinal Pediatrics office, or schedule an appointment online today.

We offer pediatric care, physical exams, and newborn care located in Lowell, MA and Chelmsford, MA. Call us to book your appointment today.