A guide to your baby's first cold

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Master, Doctor Doan Ngoc Quynh Tram - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
All babies are born with immunity to disease. Even so, it takes time for a child's immune system to mature. This leaves babies vulnerable to cold viruses. Most of the colds that babies catch help boost immunity. Even so, a baby's first cold can worry parents.

1. Are babies prone to colds?

All babies are born with immunity to disease. Even so, it takes time for a baby's brand new immune system to mature. This leaves babies vulnerable to cold viruses.
Currently, we know there are more than 200 viruses that can cause colds. Fortunately, most of the colds that babies catch help boost their immunity. Even so, a baby's first cold can still worry parents.
Children can catch a cold at any age and time of year. In fact, children get colds at most 8-10 times a year during the first 2 years. If babies are around older children, their chances of catching a cold can increase.
Common colds in babies are not dangerous, but they can quickly turn into more serious illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia. Any illness in a baby younger than 2 or 3 months old is reason to see a pediatrician, especially if your baby is running a fever.

2. Cold symptoms in babies

A runny nose can be the first sign that an infant has caught a cold. Your baby's nasal discharge may be thin and clear at first, but then it will become thicker and yellow-green in color over a few days. This is normal and does not mean that your baby's cold is getting worse.
Other infant cold symptoms include:
Uncomfortable child May have fever Child has a cough, especially at night Child sneezing Child has decreased appetite Child has a stuffy nose that makes it difficult to feed breastfed or bottle-fed. Children have trouble sleeping. Colds in babies have some of the same symptoms as other illnesses, such as the flu, sore throat, and pneumonia. This can make diagnosis at home more difficult for parents.

2.1. Distinguishing flu and cold in babies

If an infant has the flu, he or she may experience chills, vomiting, and diarrhea in addition to the symptoms of a common cold. Your child may also have symptoms that you can't see and can't tell you about, including headaches, muscle aches, or sore throats.

2.2. Distinguishing pneumonia and cold in infants

A cold can quickly lead to pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia in babies include:
Chills Baby red skin Child sweats Child may have a high fever Child may have abdominal pain or diarrhea Child has a worse cough Child has rapid breathing or difficulty breathing Lips or your baby's fingertips may be slightly purple. This means that your baby is not getting enough oxygen and needs to be taken to the hospital right away.

2.3. Distinguishing croup and cold in infants

Children with croup may have difficulty breathing, hoarseness, and cough. Babies may also make a wheezing sound that resembles wheezing.

2.4. Distinguishing bronchiolitis and cold in infants

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a cause of serious respiratory infections that can affect people of all ages. But it's especially serious for babies, because their airways aren't fully developed.
Babies are frequently hospitalized for bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the airways that affects the smallest airways in the lungs (bronchioles). This is the most common cause of hospitalization for infants. Bronchiolitis is usually caused by respiratory syncytial virus.

3. Causes of colds in babies

The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. They are not bacterial infections and do not respond to antibiotics.
The pediatrician may conduct blood tests, urinalysis, or respiratory secretion tests to determine if your baby's illness is viral or bacterial. Viral infections can lead to complications from bacterial infections. They can also cause illnesses such as:
Pneumonia Sore throat Ear infections Colds in babies are not unusual. Disease-causing viruses can live in the air and on hard surfaces for short periods of time. That makes transmission possible with or without direct contact with an infected person.
Newborns near older children may be more susceptible to colds. But even a trip to the pediatrician's office, cuddling with an adult, or a walk to the store can expose a child to germs.
Breastfed babies have more immunity than formula-fed babies. This is because breastfeeding provides antibodies, white blood cells and enzymes to the baby. These protect the child from infection.
Breastfed infants have all or part of the mother's immunity to diseases to which the mother is immune or has been. However, this does not mean that breastfed babies are completely immune to colds.

4. When to see a doctor when babies have a cold

Babies younger than 2 or 3 months old should be seen by a doctor if they have a cold. This will help protect your child from a more serious condition and also save you from anxiety.
Fever is a baby's body's way of fighting off a cold. Even so, infants under 2 or 3 months of age with a fever of 38°C or higher still need to be seen by a doctor. You should also call the doctor if your baby, 3 to 6 months old, has a fever of 39°C or higher.
Regardless of the child's age, a fever lasting more than 5 days should be seen by a doctor. You need to monitor all of your baby's symptoms. You should take your child to the doctor if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
Rash Vomiting Diarrhea Persistent cough or cough with phlegm Making odd, unusual noises Difficulty breathing Contractions: when areas below and between the ribs and in the neck that sinks in each time the child breathes in Thick green mucus or bloody mucus from the nose or mouth Fever for more than 5 to 7 days Ear rubbing or other sign of discomfort or pain physical pain anywhere on their body Signs of dehydration, such as the child not urinating as much as usual The child stops sucking The child's lips or fingertips are purple

5. Treatment of colds for babies at home

Do's and Don'ts of cold home treatment for babies to help them feel comfortable.
What to do:
Give your baby plenty of fluids, including breast milk or formula. If your baby is over 6 months old, you can give him some water to drink. Aspirate mucus from the nose by using saline drops into the nose and using a suction bulb. Humidify the air with a humidifier. Ask your doctor if they recommend a warm or cool nebulizer. Warm humidifiers can cause burns for older, curious children. What not to do:
Antibiotics do not kill viruses and should not be used to treat colds. Over-the-counter (OTC) fever reducers, including infant Tylenol, are not recommended for infants younger than 3 months unless directed by a doctor. Check with your pediatrician before giving any over-the-counter medicine to a child younger than 1 year. Do not use aspirin to reduce fever or pain in young children. Cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under 2 years of age. Don't let your baby sleep on his stomach, especially if he has a stuffy nose.

6. How long does it take for an infant to have a cold?

Newborn colds can last up to 9 or 10 days. This includes a time when a child does not show many symptoms but is easy to pass the disease on to other children, as well as a time when a child begins to function normally but still has a runny nose.

7. How to prevent colds for babies

Breastfeeding can help boost your baby's immunity. Even a small amount of breast milk added with formula can help. This is especially true of antibody-rich colostrum, the first source of breast milk you produce when your baby is born.
You can't keep a baby in one room or in the house forever. But you can help your baby avoid exposure to some germs:
Wash your hands often and ask visitors to do the same. Avoid contact with people who are sick. Wipe down surfaces that people who are coughing or sneezing have touched. Ask people who come into contact with your baby to cough or sneeze into their elbows instead of their hands. If possible, limit your baby's contact with older children. Make sure that the adults and children around the infant have been vaccinated with pertussis (whooping cough) and flu vaccines. Colds are caused by viruses and are common in infants. Even breastfed babies get colds, although these babies have greater immunity than non-breastfed babies. Colds are not serious illnesses, but they can turn into more serious illnesses. That's why it's important to take your baby to the doctor if she's under 2 or 3 months old, especially if she has a high fever or other symptoms. You also need to prepare supplies before your child has the first cold such as saline drops, rubber bulb straws, fever reducers, thermometers and humidifiers are helpful.
Pediatrics department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children, .... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.
If you have a need for consultation and examination at Vinmec Hospitals under the nationwide health system, please book an appointment on the website for service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References: babycenter.com, healthychildren.org