Why children get so many colds
The common cold is caused by viruses, and children get them frequently — it is normal for a young child to have several colds a year, sometimes more, especially once they are mixing with other children at nursery or school. This is not a sign of a weak immune system; quite the opposite. A child's immune system is still learning, and each cold helps build its defences. Colds are also more common in the colder months when people spend more time indoors together.
Because so many different cold viruses exist, a child can catch one after another, which is why it can sometimes feel as though a young child is 'always' unwell. While tiring for both child and parent, this pattern is usually a normal part of early childhood and tends to settle as children get older and their immunity broadens. The vast majority of these colds are mild and pass without any complications.
Symptoms of a cold in children
Cold symptoms in children are similar to those in adults, though young children cannot always tell you how they feel. Symptoms usually come on gradually and can include:
- •A blocked or runny nose, with clear then thicker mucus
- •Sneezing and a sore or scratchy throat
- •A cough
- •A mild fever, particularly in the first few days
- •Being more tired, irritable, or clingy than usual
- •Reduced appetite
- •In babies, difficulty feeding because of a blocked nose
Caring for a child with a cold
There is no cure for the common cold — it is caused by viruses and clears on its own — so care focuses on keeping a child comfortable while their body fights it off. Antibiotics do not help and are not needed for a cold. Helpful steps include making sure the child drinks plenty of fluids, letting them rest, and offering comfort and reassurance. For a baby with a blocked nose, saline drops can help clear it, particularly before feeds.
If a child is uncomfortable or has a fever that is distressing them, children's paracetamol or ibuprofen can help, given at the correct dose for their age and weight — never give aspirin to a child under 16. Most cough and cold medicines are not suitable for young children, so check with a pharmacist before using any, and rely mainly on fluids, rest and comfort. Honey can soothe a cough in children over one year old, but must never be given to babies under one. A cold usually improves within a week or two, though a cough can linger a little longer.
How long colds last, complications, and prevention
Most colds in children clear up within about one to two weeks, with symptoms usually worst in the first few days and then gradually improving. A lingering cough after the other symptoms have gone is common and not usually a cause for concern on its own. Because children catch colds so often, they can sometimes seem to run into one another, but each individual cold typically follows this self-limiting course.
Occasionally a cold can lead to a secondary problem, such as an ear infection, or symptoms of a more significant illness can be mistaken for a cold, which is why the warning signs below matter. Signs that warrant checking include difficulty breathing, a high or persistent fever, ear pain, symptoms that are severe or getting worse rather than better, or a child who seems very unwell. As always with young babies, there is a lower threshold for seeking advice.
Colds are hard to prevent entirely given how common the viruses are, but good habits help reduce spread: regular handwashing, catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and keeping unwell children away from others where practical. There is no need to keep a child with a mild cold at home if they are otherwise well enough for their normal activities, though a feverish or clearly unwell child should rest and stay off nursery or school until they are better.