Common Cold Portland OR

What are the causes?

Possible Symptoms

• Fever, cough, irritated eyes, sneezing, runny nose  feeling just plain miserable.

What can I do?

• Encourage fluid intake, especially water and natural fruit juices.
• Use saline (salt water) nose drops to relieve nasal congestion.
• For mild sore throats, use cold liquids and popsicles.
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen in recommended doses may be useful to relieve aches and fever.
• Do not use aspirin.
• Cool mist vaporizers may be used if the air is very dry. Be sure and keep them clean as it is easy for mold to grow in them.
• Do not use decongestants or over the counter cold remedies unless instructed to do so by your child’s doctor. They may actually make symptoms worse!
• Colds do not need to be treated with antibiotics!
• Don’t overdress children.
• Use loose fitting clothing that is comfortable so as to avoid getting too warm.

  Call the Doctor when:

• Coughing produces thick green or yellow mucus.
• Discharge from the eyes is thick and yellow.
• Fever persists past three days or is excessively high (above 103F.)
• Rash is present with cold and fever.
• Severe headaches occur.
• If vomiting develops.
• Onset of earache or significant sore throat or swollen glands in neck or noted.