You can often treat a cold without seeing a GP. You should begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks. Show
Check if you have a coldCold symptoms come on gradually and can include:
The symptoms are the same in adults and children. Sometimes symptoms last longer in children. Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe. Difference between cold and fluColdFluAppears graduallyAppears quickly within a few hoursAffects mainly your nose and throatAffects more than just your nose and throatMakes you feel unwell, but you're OK to carry on as normal (for example, go to work)Makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal How you can treat a cold yourselfTo help you get better more quickly:
If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better. A pharmacist can help with cold medicinesYou can buy cough and cold medicines from pharmacies or supermarkets. A pharmacist can advise you on the best medicine. You can:
Decongestants should not be given to children under 6. Children aged 6 to 12 should take them for no longer than 5 days. Be careful not to use cough and cold medicines if you're taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets. Cough and cold medicines often also contain paracetamol and ibuprofen so it can be easy to take more than the recommended dose. Some are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. There's little evidence that supplements (such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic) prevent colds or speed up recovery. Find a pharmacy Information: Call a pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. You can get medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
AntibioticsGPs do not recommend antibiotics for colds because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, and colds are caused by viruses. How to avoid spreading a coldColds are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people. You're infectious until all your symptoms have gone. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Colds are spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. To reduce the risk of spreading a cold:
How to prevent catching a coldA person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished. The common cold (upper respiratory infection) is one of the most common illnesses in children. Each year it leads to more healthcare provider visits and missed days from school and work than any other illness. Millions of people in the U.S. will get a cold each year. Here are a few facts:
What causes the common cold in a child?Colds happen when a virus irritates (inflames) the lining of the nose and throat. Colds can be caused by more than 200 different viruses. But most colds are caused by rhinoviruses. To catch a cold, your child must come in contact with someone who is infected with one of the cold viruses. The cold virus can be spread:
Which children are at risk for the common cold?All children are at risk for the common cold. They are more likely than adults to get a cold. Here are some reasons why:
What are the symptoms of the common cold in a child?Cold symptoms start from 1 to 3 days after your child has been in contact with the cold virus. Symptoms often last about 1 week. But they may last up to 2 weeks. Symptoms may be a bit different for each child. In babies, cold symptoms may include:
Older children may have:
These symptoms may seem like other health problems, such as the flu. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is the common cold diagnosed in a child?Most common colds are diagnosed based on symptoms. But cold symptoms may seem like other bacterial infections, allergies, and health problems. How is the common cold treated in a child?There is no cure for the common cold. Most children recover from colds on their own. Antibiotics don’t work against viral infections, so they are not prescribed. Instead, treatment is focused on helping ease your child’s symptoms until the illness passes. To help your child feel better:
What are possible complications of the common cold in a child?Some of the complications that might occur if your child gets a cold include:
How can I help prevent the common cold in my child?To help children stay healthy:
When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?Contact your child’s healthcare provider right away if your child has:
Key points about the common cold in children
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
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