Treatment of colds in children over 2 years old

Colds are an infection of the upper respiratory tract and are the most common disease in children. The most common referrals to general practitioners or pediatricians are for pediatric colds. Most children catch a cold at least 6 to 8 times a year, and this is perfectly normal. Usually after the age of 6, other children will catch colds less than before. In this article, we will examine the treatment of colds in children over 2 years old. At what age can children use cold syrups?

What causes colds in children?

More than 200 different viruses can cause colds in children. Colds occur when a virus irritates the nose and throat and causes inflammation. Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses. The common cold virus can spread and infect a child in the following ways:

Through the air: If a person with a cold sneezes or coughs, some of the cold virus spreads into the environment, and if the child breathes in that air, the virus enters the child’s nose and sticks to the nasal membrane.

Direct contact: If a child is in direct contact with a person with a cold, they are more likely to get the disease. Because children often touch their eyes, mouth and nose, this will spread the disease. Simply put, if a person with a cold touches a toy, for example, and then the child touches it, they are more likely to catch a cold.

Treatment of colds in children over 2 years old

Colds in children under 2 years of age are often more worrying for parents. In fact, the younger the child, the more restrictive the medication may be, and therefore the treatment steps may seem a little more difficult. For example, children under the age of two are not allowed to consume some cold or cough syrups, and the appropriate medications for them must be taken under the supervision of a doctor. But as the child gets older and reaches the age of 2, some of the restrictions are lifted and more drugs become available. On the other hand, at this age, the child can better explain his symptoms and also cooperate better in taking medications. So there will be less concern for his treatment.

Children under 5 are more likely to have a febrile seizure than others. Therefore, at this age, children’s fever should be regularly controlled during colds and strategies such as scrubs or the use of tuberculosis drugs should be used.

Which children are more likely to catch a cold?

Children are more likely to catch a cold than adults. Why? Because the immune system of children is not as strong as that of adults and is not actually developed. Therefore, it is less resistant to pathogens such as viruses. Treating colds in children over 2 years old is definitely easier than in a baby. Of course, the severity of the disease also plays a decisive role in the recovery time. Children are more likely to catch a cold in the following cases:

• Cold Seasons: Most respiratory illnesses occur in the fall and winter. Humidity decreases during these seasons, which makes the nasal passages drier than before and puts them at risk for infection. That is why it is often recommended to use a fumigator in autumn and winter.
• Going to kindergarten or school: In these places, children are in close contact with each other and colds are easily transmitted through sneezing, coughing or touching the objects that children are dealing with.
• Regular hand-to-mouth contact: Most children probably touch their eyes, nose, or mouth without washing their hands, and this is the most common type of germ spread.

What medications can be used to treat colds in children over 2 years old?

The following strategies and drugs are often used to treat colds in children over 2 years old:

Home treatment of colds in children

Using some strategies can help improve the common cold and cure the child in less time:

• Consumption of honey: Studies have shown that consuming 1 teaspoon of honey about half an hour before bedtime helps improve sleep at night and is also effective in relieving cough. Note that children under 1 year are not allowed to consume honey.
• Increase fluid intake: Try to give your baby more fluids throughout the day. For this purpose, use a variety of juices or watery foods such as soups.
• Vaporizer: Turn on the vaporizer to increase the humidity so that the child coughs less and the airways open.
• Extra pillow: Put an extra pillow under the baby’s head to help relieve nasal congestion.
• Finisher: For children who still can not wipe their nasal discharge with a tissue, use a finisher to open the airways.
• Gargling with salt water: Encourage children over the age of 4 to gargle with salt water in their mouth and nose so that both their sore throat and nasal congestion heal faster.

Cough syrup for children

Children over 2 years old can use cough syrup with a doctor’s advice, but doctors strongly recommend that these syrups be avoided for children under 2 years old. These drugs can cause side effects such as palpitations or seizures and can even lead to death. Side effects like this are more likely to occur when two cold medicines are used at the same time for children under 2 years of age. For the treatment of colds in children over 2 years old, if you intend to use cough syrup, make sure that the dosage must be determined by your doctor.

Treatment of runny nose in children

The best medicine for opening children’s nasal passages is to use sodium chloride solution. Dilute salt water is used in these solutions. Use this solution as a drop in children under 1 year of age and as a spray in older children. After using this solution, you can open the nasal passage better by using a finisher. Note that phenylephrine drops in children under 6 years of age should be used only in consultation with a physician.

Fever control in children with colds

Acetaminophen is usually the best medicine recommended for lowering fever in children. The amount of this medicine should be determined by the doctor according to the child’s weight. For the treatment of colds in children over 2 years of age if they have a high fever, in some cases acetaminophen suppositories can be used instead of syrup. Note that ibuprofen should not be used for children under 6 months.

Prescribing antibiotics for children with colds

Treating colds often does not require antibiotics because pus driers are ineffective against viruses, and colds are often viral. If a person uses a lot of antibiotics as a child, his body becomes resistant to the drug and in the future will get less favorable results from taking antibiotics. But if the child has a bacterial infection, antibiotics should be used to treat the doctor. So do not give antibiotics to your child when he has a cold.

What are the possible side effects of colds in children?

If you have a cold, you may experience some side effects such as the following:

• ear infection
• pneumonia
• Squeezing the sinuses
• Having a throat infection

When to see a doctor for children with colds?

In the following cases, for the treatment of colds in children over 2 years old, you must see a doctor:

• Fever 38 degrees or higher
• Continuation of cold symptoms for more than 10 days

Also, if the cold does not improve after taking the medication, you must see a doctor. It may be necessary to change medications.

Finally, keep in mind that there is no cure or cure for colds in children, and in any case, the course of the common cold must be followed. So if, for example, your child has had a cold for 3 days and is still not well, do not rush, be patient and continue treatment.