Common Cold

Common cold is a self-limited viral infection.

Home remedies like tulsi tea, ginger and honey in hot water, chest rub with medicaments containing eucalyptus, humidity or steam inhalation, gargles with warm water containing salt etc. are useful cheap and safe remedies.

Give paracetamol to relieve fever, headache and body ache.

Avoid antibiotics unless there is super added bacterial infection.

Cough mixtures containing nasal decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressant may be used. Antihistamines may worsen the nose block by drying the secretions. They are also known to aggravate chest symptoms in children who are vulnerable to develop asthmatic bronchitis.

There is no specific treatment for common cold which is a self limiting condition. It is said that untreated common cold lasts for 7 days but when you treat, it disappears in one week. Symptomatic treatment is given to provide comfort and relief. Give paracetamol far relief of fever, headache and body aches. It is effective and free from any side effects. Aspirin should be avoided in children with viral respiratory infection due to potential risk of serious toxicity. Home remedies like tulsi tea, ginger and honey in warm water, chest rub with a liniment containing eucalyptus and menthol, steam inhalation and gargles with warm water containing table salt are useful and effective to provide comfort.

There is no effective vaccine as yet against common cold because it is caused by a large number of viruses. Good nutrition with adequate intake of micronutrients maintains adequate body defenses to ward off infections. Breast feeding provides protection against a variety of infections including common cold because human milk is replete with a large number of protective factors. Exclusive breast feeding (even water should be given) should be promoted and enforced during first 4-6 months of life. Avoidance of over crowding, reduced exposure to cold and environment pollutants may reduce episodes of respiratory infections. The children should be properly clothed and effectively covered during winter. Isolation at home is virtually impossible.

Children with allergic rhinitis show persistent watery nasal discharge with frequent exacerbation. There is no fever, nasal discharge is watery and sneezing is marked. Cough is minimal or absent. There may be itching in the eyes and nose. Antihistamines are useful in these patents for prompt relief of nasal symptoms. These children are more vulnerable to develop features of bronchial allergy in the form of bronchial asthma.