Most of those who are likely to be affected by such infection are children especially infants. Most colds are caused by rhino viruses that are invisible droplets in the air we breathe or things we touched.

What causes colds?

• It is an infection of the mouth, nose and throat caused by over a hundred of strain of viruses of colds. Oftentimes children are the ones who are most likely to suffer from such infection because their immunity from such disease are still building up and working out. Colds easily spread out its viruses through inhalation since it is an airborne virus and can also be transferred by hand contacts.
• A cold is an airborne virus that runs through the air and transmitted from one person to another. With a child having a low immunity from such virus will automatically acquire such infection especially on those babies who lack nutritional support and vitamins. Most colds last from three to ten days and in little babies, it lasts for more than two weeks.

How does it spread?

• Colds are easily transferred through a direct contact such as holding hands, kissing or touching with an infected person. Then when the virus has transferred to you, it will suddenly get into your nose, mouth, eyes and on your skin. Touching someone who is infected by such disease will pass the virus.
• It can also be transferred by touching something that has been touched by an infected person because the germs will stay on the surface for many hours. Toys, glass, doorknobs and etc. are those in which a virus may stay.
• Airborne – meaning it spreads through the air and inhalation from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are such a big factor.

• Fever – having a fever is the first sign of cold infectionCoughing
• Redness in the eye
• Minor sore throat
• Runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Mild
• Lymph nodes are swollen especially under his armpit

Prevention or Treatment

• For newborn babies, mothers should have their baby feed on them because breastfeeding is the best way to help build and develop a strong immune system to children. Colostrums are a yellowish color that first comes out from the mother’s breast is rich in antibodies that make babies’ immune system strong.
• Proper hand washing keeps away all kinds of diseases especially common cold.
• Make sure that your child gets enough rest.
• Increase intake of vitamin c
• Eating fruits that are rich in vitamin c
• Babies should be kept away from a person who suffers from cold because babies as they are, they are very prone to such infection.
• Make sure that your children have all the vaccines or immunizations recommended at their age. It may prevent them from having such cold but it will help them fight back and will prevent them from having such complications.
• When fever persists on going up to a much higher temperature, administer paracetamol to your child to help him alleviate from such situation.
• Put a little elevation on your child’s beddings to help him breath easily from his congested airway. In order for babies to breathe easily, doctors recommend to give a buffered saline solution and suctioning of mucus through their nose. Use a suction bulb to suck the mucus inside the baby’s nose.
• Putting a vapor rub at the back, throat and on the chest may help your child breathe a little more easier since vapor rubs has cool mint that soothes and smoothens breathing even for just a little time but it will help a child fall asleep and rest.
• Smoking should be avoided inside the house. It helps trigger colds and coughs and will make it even more complicated.

Facts to ponder

• Babies may be able to have colds for ten times in a year.
• A pre-schooler may have it for at least twelve colds per year
• Breastfeeding is a must for new mothers to help build their child a strong immune system.
• Immunization should be completed to help prevent complications
• Common colds should be treated properly and seriously to prevent from further infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, flu or even ear infections. Ear infections causes swelling of the middle ear and if not given an immediate aid will damage the inner ear and even break the eardrum. Infected ear sprouts foul odor and the child will claim it painful.