Cold - baby

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Sophie Matzik is a freelance writer for the medical team.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

In general, a cold affects babies and toddlers more often than adults. The offspring still has to train their immune system. That is why eight to twelve flu infections per year can be quite normal in a child. Here you can read everything you need to know about the common cold in babies and toddlers.

ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. J00J06

Common cold - baby: causes

The common cold can be caused by over 200 different types of viruses. When coughing, sneezing or speaking, they are transmitted from infected people to others through tiny droplets of saliva (droplet infection). Viruses can also survive on the skin and on surfaces (such as cutlery, doorknobs, etc.) for a long time. When you touch it, you transfer the viruses to your hands. And if you then grasp your face (especially your mouth, nose or eyes), the cold pathogens get onto the mucous membrane and then into the body (smear infection).

Avoid contagion and transmission

Children often become infected with one another when they play with the same toys, wrestle with one another or use the same dishes. It is therefore particularly important that you keep an eye on babies and toddlers when they catch a cold and observe strict hygiene - both if your child has a cold and if someone else in the same household has a cold. The aim is to prevent the cold virus from being passed on.

For this purpose, people with a cold should wash their hands every time they blow their nose - and parents should also wash their hands if they take on the task of blowing their nose on a cold baby or toddler. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that babies do not play with used handkerchiefs that belong to someone who has a cold.

A cold in a toddler or school child means staying at home from daycare or school. This prevents the child from spreading the common cold in public institutions.

Risk factors

Certain factors can increase the risk of catching a cold in babies and toddlers. This includes:

• stress
• irregular sleep behavior
• fatigue
• Other diseases

These factors weaken the immune system.

A cold mainly occurs during the cold autumn and winter months. Cold feet or hands can further increase the risk of illness. Children with a congenital immune deficiency are particularly at risk.

Common cold baby: symptoms

There are around two to five days (incubation period) between infection and the onset of the disease. During this time there are no symptoms, but the common cold can be passed on to other people.

At the onset of the common cold, most children feel tired and limp. The first signs may be if your child suddenly stops playing and prefers to go to bed, or if they are noticeably quiet. A common cold in infants often manifests itself as the baby screaming and crying more than usual and difficult to calm down. Classically, babies and children also suffer from the following symptoms when they have a cold:

• sniffles
• Sneezing fits
• cough

In addition, fever, headache and body aches can occur. The fever is not as high as with the flu or bacterial infection. Usually the body temperature does not rise above 39 ° C.

Fever accompanies a cold more often in babies and toddlers than in adults - the rise in body temperature is considered to be a natural protective mechanism against the pathogens.

When coughing, sneezing or runny nose, a watery secretion is expelled at the beginning. As the cold progresses, it becomes thicker.

Since the mucous membranes and the entire organism are weakened by the virus attack, an additional infection with bacteria often occurs. Doctors speak of a secondary or superinfection. You can recognize a bacterial infection when your child coughs up mucus that is greenish-yellow and no longer clear.

Swollen nasal mucous membranes are also typical of a cold - babies and toddlers often find it difficult to breathe. As a result, you often breathe through your mouth.

In contrast to adults with a cold, the eyes are often reddened in small patients.

Babies and toddlers with a cold also suffer from painfully swollen and sensitive lymph nodes, especially in the neck area. However, this swelling is not dangerous and disappears on its own after a cold.

Common cold - baby: complications

As with adults, the common cold can cause a variety of complications in babies and toddlers. Most of these are due to an additional bacterial infection and are not primarily the result of the viral pathogens of the common cold:

Babies and toddlers are also most likely to develop an otitis media. In addition, tonsillitis (tonsillitis) or sinusitis (sinusitis) are also common. The first signs of tonsillitis are a sore throat and sore throat. Often babies and children refuse to eat because of the severe pain. The resulting pain is often mistaken for toothache because it is difficult to localize it.

Common cold - baby: diagnosis

A mild cold in babies and toddlers is usually nothing to worry about - the symptoms usually go away on their own within a week. In the following cases, a (supposed) cold in infants and toddlers (or older children) should be examined by a doctor to be on the safe side:

• The child is less than three months old and is coughing or feverish.
• The child shows a poor general condition (e.g. it appears very limp and listless).
• The fever has existed for more than three days.
• Coughs and runny nose have persisted for over a week or get worse.
• The child suddenly has a high fever.
• The child becomes hoarse, has difficulty breathing, breathes quickly, or complains of pain.
• The cough becomes painful after a few days (pneumonia is suspected).
• The child suddenly develops a barking cough (suspected croup).
• The child coughs up mucus that is yellowish or reddish in color.
• The runny nose turns yellowish-greenish in color or fever and severe headache occur (suspicion of sinusitis).
• The child has an earache and is under two years old. The earache lasts longer than two days or the child looks very sick.
• The sore throat is suddenly accompanied by a high fever or yellow pus spots form on the tonsils.
• The child develops a (temporary) rash on the body.
• There are also other symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting.
• The child has a runny nose or cough very often or for a long time (suspected allergy).

First, the pediatrician collects the baby's medical history (anamnesis). Colds (and flu) are often not easy to recognize here because the little patients themselves cannot provide any information about their symptoms. This makes the parents' observations all the more important, including any changes in their baby's behavior. On the other hand, kindergarten children can and should have a say in the anamnesis interview if possible. Then the parents can help. Possible questions during the anamnesis interview are:

• How long has the child coughed?
• What does the sputum look like when you cough or the nasal secretions (color, consistency)?
• Does your child have a fever every time they catch a cold?
• Have you already given him any medication?

The interview will be followed by a physical exam. The doctor looks into the child's mouth and throat. He also taps and listens to the chest and back, for example to rule out pneumonia. If a bacterial infection is suspected, the doctor will take a blood sample. In this way, he can determine which pathogen is responsible for the symptoms and decide which treatment is the right one.

Common cold baby: treatment

In general, babies and toddlers are treated differently when they have a cold. Certain medications are not yet allowed to be used in babies.

As a rule, it is sufficient to use suitable measures to alleviate the symptoms "from the outside". An internal use of medication is only necessary in the rarest of cases.

Runny nose, cough, congested airways

In babies, the common cold is usually the most distressing symptom. The following tips:

• Use isotonic saline as an inhalation or a nasal spray.
• Use decongestant nasal drops that have been specially developed for babies.
• Applying petroleum jelly around the nose prevents the skin from getting sore when you have a cold.
• Put a towel or flat pillow under your child's head to sleep. This makes it easier for them to cough up the mucus in the airways.

Be careful with essential oils! Some can cause life-threatening glottis spasms in babies and toddlers with respiratory failure (especially when used near the face), for example mint oil.

You can give cough syrup for the cough. In addition, your child should drink a lot if their airways are congested. Warm herbal teas are particularly suitable here. Fennel or elderberry tea is often popular with babies and infants and has a healing effect.

Fever in babies

For a child with a fever, different recommendations apply, depending on their age: For babies under three months of age, you should consult a doctor if the temperature is 37.8 ° C or more. One speaks of fever in children in the first weeks of life from 38 ° C.

In older children, values ​​above 38 ° C indicate illness, and above 38.5 ° C they have a fever.Then it's time for children: Off to bed! If your child's skin feels hot and sweats, all you should do is put on thin pajamas and cover them with a light blanket.

Febrile seizures

In around five percent of all children between five months and six years of age who have a fever, a so-called febrile seizure occurs at least once during the course of the disease: The child suddenly appears absent, uncontrolled twitching, the eyes roll, and some children even lose consciousness for a moment. Then you should call an emergency doctor immediately! A febrile seizure usually has no consequences. But if it occurs more frequently, it can be a sign of a more serious illness.

Lower fever

You should only give antipyretic drugs in limited quantities. The fever is a natural reaction of the body to fight off the pathogens. If the fever drops too quickly, it can even have harmful effects.

From a temperature of 39 ° C, calf compresses can help to lower the temperature. You should only use lukewarm, not cold, water. Change the wraps after about half an hour and don't leave them around the calves for more than an hour.

Fever suppositories should only be used in consultation with the pediatrician, if at all. The same goes for antipyretic drugs that are given by mouth, such as juice. Suitable antipyretic agents for children are paracetamol and ibuprofen. Discuss with the doctor or pharmacist which dosage is advisable for your child.

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) drugs, which many adults take for fever, are not suitable for children. In connection with viral infections, the life-threatening Reye's syndrome can occur, albeit rarely.

Earache

Earache with a cold indicates an otitis media. In mild cases, nasal sprays or an analgesic fever juice can help. If the pain persists and your child is tormented, you should consult a doctor. He or she may prescribe antibiotics if necessary.

More tips for a cold

Babies and toddlers shouldn't be left alone for too long if they have a cold. Check on your child regularly. If they have a fever, you should also take their temperature regularly. If your child's condition allows, you can go out into the fresh air with them for half an hour a day - even with an infant.

A cold with its symptoms such as a runny nose can also be relieved by increasing the humidity in the children's room. For example, place damp cloths on the switched-on heater or put a bowl of water on a cupboard.

Make sure that your child has a smoke-free environment (not only if you have a cold, but in general). Tobacco smoke can also damage the mucous membranes!

Otherwise, the following applies to small patients: Do not romp around or play with other children while they have a cold. It is best for babies and toddlers to stay in bed for a few days. With older children, you should also ensure that you wash your hands regularly. Also, teach your child to throw away their used handkerchiefs straight away, and explain that it is best not to sneeze or cough into the air, but rather into the crook of your elbow.

Common cold - baby: prognosis

A cold in babies and children is usually harmless and disappears after about one to two weeks. Only in rare cases do complications arise that require medical treatment, for example inflammation of the middle ear, lungs or eye.

A visit to a doctor is advisable if a cold in babies and toddlers is accompanied by symptoms that are not classically associated with the common cold. This can be a very severe sore throat (often accompanied by refusal to eat), a rattling cough or an earache. You should also see a doctor if your child is severely suffering, has a high fever or symptoms do not improve after a week. Therapy with antibiotics may then be necessary (against the bacterial infection). Babies with a cold who are younger than six months should definitely be presented to a pediatrician.

Cold - Baby: Prevent

To protect your baby from a cold, you should avoid contact (your own and your child's) with sick people. If someone in the family has a cold, you should make sure that used handkerchiefs, dishes or toothbrushes are not lying around and your baby can play with them.

Large crowds are a potential hazard, especially in winter, as at least one in the crowd is sure to carry cold viruses. So try to avoid such crowds if possible.

Also, pay attention to hygiene. Wash your and your baby's or child's hands regularly. If you are on the road for a long time, it can also be useful to disinfect your hands in between.

In winter you should make sure that your offspring are always dressed warmly enough. Cold cannot cause a cold, but it does reduce the resistance of the mucous membranes to pathogens. If your child has permanently cold hands or feet, viruses can penetrate the mucous membranes more easily and catch a cold more quickly.

Babies and toddlers should also build a strong immune system as early as possible. Make sure you have a varied, vitamin and nutrient-rich diet. In addition, your child should get fresh air regularly and get enough exercise and sleep. This also strengthens the immune system.

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