Symptoms Of A Cold In Toddlers

Symptoms Of A Cold In Toddlers (3)

What is a cold?

A cold is a common health condition that affects each and every child. It is often caused by a virus called rhinovirus . From generations to generations, there has been confusions between the signs and the symptoms of a cold. In this article I have explained in depth, the symptoms of a cold in toddlers.

A cold often starts with your child sneezing,followed by a sore throat which involves a buildup of mucus. The situation worsens when your toddler experiences a postnasal drip- when the mucus runs back and forth from the nose to the throat.

As the situation worsens the following are the symptoms to expect:

1. A tickle in the throat: this is a mild feeling on one’s throat like there is a sore throat although it is not that serious.

2. Watery mucus in the nose: this is commonly referred as a runny nose. Your child will experience a colorless mucus in their nose all day.

3. Sneezing: occasionally your child will sneeze. The sneeze may or may not be accompanied by the watery mucus depending on the severeness of the cold. When the cold is heavy the sneeze will always be accompanied by the watery mucus.

4.A feeling of tiredness: If your toddler is the jovial vibrant type,you will realize that they sit around with a feeling of tiredness. Mostly they stay on the couch and do not want to do anything around the house.

5. Muscle aches: the feeling of tiredness may be accompanied by muscle aches. Your toddler might complain of constant muscle aches during the 10 to 14 days that the cold might last.

6. Headache: due to the runny nose and sneezing, your child might experience pangs of headache from time to time.cry

7.Loss of appetite.The headache and feeling of tiredness are often accompanied by a loss of appetite. You will notice that your child does not have appetite even for his or her favorite dish or snack.

8. Nasal discharge that turns from yellow to green: this discharge changes color as the cold comes to an end around the 9th day. This happens as a result of the body’s immune system- antigens are busy fighting with the cold.

9. Severe sore throat: this sore throat is different from the tickle on the throat.In most cases it hurts and your child may spit a yellow discharge from the throat. When this happens most parents get antibiotics for their children.

10. Cough: the last symptom to observe in your child is a cough. The cough may be dry or accompanied by watery substances coming from your child’s mouth. When this happens, you need not worry as a cough indicates that the reflex of your child is working to protect the throat and chest.

Pediatrics always advice parents of toddlers not to worry as the cold only lasts for 10-14 days. Hence it is always advisable to keep off the antibiotics to help the child’s body develop a strong immune system.