Do you feel as if you're constantly wiping your baby's nose? Here's how to recognize, treat and prevent these common infections.
March 4, 2006 (Press Release) --
Do you feel as if you're constantly wiping your baby's nose? You probably are! Most healthy babies have six colds or more before age 1.
Colds are upper respiratory tract infections caused by one of many viruses. Most colds last a week or two, but some linger even longer. Here's how to recognize, treat and prevent these common infections.
Classic signs and symptoms
The first sign of a cold is often a congested or runny nose. Because babies' nasal passages are quite small, it doesn't take much swelling and mucus to cause congestion.
Nasal discharge is often clear at first. As the cold progresses, the discharge usually becomes thicker and turns shades of yellow or green. Later, the discharge may become clear and runny again.
Toughing it out
Your baby's immune system will need time to conquer the cold. Since colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics won't help.
If your baby is younger than 3 months old, call the doctor at the first sign of illness. For newborns, colds can quickly develop into croup, pneumonia or another serious illness.
Most of the time, you can treat an older baby's cold at home. Consider these suggestions:
Offer plenty of fluids
Liquids can help loosen the congestion. Encourage frequent feedings for younger babies. Offer older babies water or juice between regular feedings. If you're breast-feeding your baby, keep it up. Breast milk offers extra protection from cold-causing germs.
Avoid cough suppressants and other cold medications
Coughing helps clear the mucus from your baby's airway. For otherwise healthy babies, there's usually no reason to suppress it.
When a cold becomes something more serious
Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously.
Again, call the doctor at the first sign of illness if your baby is younger than 3 months. If your baby is 3 months or older, call the doctor if he or she:
Prevention
Colds typically spread through infected respiratory droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. The best defense? Common sense and plenty of soap and water.
Keep your baby away from anyone who's sick, especially during the first few days of illness. If possible, avoid public transportation with your newborn.
Wash your hands before feeding or caring for your baby. When soap and water aren't available, use hand wipes or gels treated with germ-killing alcohol.
Clean your baby's toys and pacifiers often.
Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue — and then toss it. If you can't reach a tissue in time, cough or sneeze into your shoulder or the crook of your arm.
Simple preventive measures can go a long way toward keeping your baby the picture of health.
Source: http://www.msn.com/
Colds are upper respiratory tract infections caused by one of many viruses. Most colds last a week or two, but some linger even longer. Here's how to recognize, treat and prevent these common infections.
Classic signs and symptoms
The first sign of a cold is often a congested or runny nose. Because babies' nasal passages are quite small, it doesn't take much swelling and mucus to cause congestion.
Nasal discharge is often clear at first. As the cold progresses, the discharge usually becomes thicker and turns shades of yellow or green. Later, the discharge may become clear and runny again.
Toughing it out
Your baby's immune system will need time to conquer the cold. Since colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics won't help.
If your baby is younger than 3 months old, call the doctor at the first sign of illness. For newborns, colds can quickly develop into croup, pneumonia or another serious illness.
Most of the time, you can treat an older baby's cold at home. Consider these suggestions:
Offer plenty of fluids
Liquids can help loosen the congestion. Encourage frequent feedings for younger babies. Offer older babies water or juice between regular feedings. If you're breast-feeding your baby, keep it up. Breast milk offers extra protection from cold-causing germs.
Avoid cough suppressants and other cold medications
Coughing helps clear the mucus from your baby's airway. For otherwise healthy babies, there's usually no reason to suppress it.
When a cold becomes something more serious
Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously.
Again, call the doctor at the first sign of illness if your baby is younger than 3 months. If your baby is 3 months or older, call the doctor if he or she:
Prevention
Colds typically spread through infected respiratory droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. The best defense? Common sense and plenty of soap and water.
Keep your baby away from anyone who's sick, especially during the first few days of illness. If possible, avoid public transportation with your newborn.
Wash your hands before feeding or caring for your baby. When soap and water aren't available, use hand wipes or gels treated with germ-killing alcohol.
Clean your baby's toys and pacifiers often.
Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue — and then toss it. If you can't reach a tissue in time, cough or sneeze into your shoulder or the crook of your arm.
Simple preventive measures can go a long way toward keeping your baby the picture of health.
Source: http://www.msn.com/
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