Your kid has ANOTHER cold this year and you’re starting to wonder: What’s normal? Should my kid be getting this many colds? What can I do about it?
So, what’s normal?
- Healthy kids under age 6 tend to get on average 6 colds per year. Most will feel better after 3-7 days, but runny nose, congestion, and cough can last for up to 2-3 weeks. Most colds occur from September – April, which means your healthy kid could have a cold every month or two during this time frame. Kids in daycare (or kids with older siblings who are in daycare/school) tend to get more frequent colds as they are more likely to be exposed to respiratory viruses.
- Older kids and adults tend to get 2-4 colds per year.
What’s not normal?
If your kid is getting sick often, it’s time to make an appointment. It’s not normal if your child is getting:
Six or more ear or respiratory tract infections within one year
Two or more serious sinus infections or pneumonias within one year
Four or more new ear infections within one year
Most of the time, the symptoms of the common cold will resolve on their own in time. You should make an appointment with your healthcare provider if:
Your child is younger than 3 months old and has cold symptoms
Your child is having difficulty feeding because of their congestion
Fever lasting longer than 3 days
Sore throat lasting longer than 5 days
Nasal discharge and congestion lasting longer than 2 weeks
Cough lasting longer than 3 weeks
Ear pain or fluid draining from their ear
Lots of pus in the eye
Fever that goes away for 24 hours and then returns
Your child is very fussy and cannot be calmed easily
Your child is very sleepy
Your child seems to be more sick to you
You have any other concerns or your child’s symptoms are severe
What helps prevent the common cold in kids?
Offer a wide variety of fruits & vegetables, whole grains, and proteins to your kids every day. Reduce added sugar and sugar sweetened beverages (like juice and soda).
Correcting anemia – the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all kids should be assessed for risk anemia beginning at 6 months of age. It is one of my first things to check in kids who are getting sick frequently. Anemia is more common in kids who are breastfed, do not frequently eat foods that are high in iron (meats, white beans, lentils, soy, seeds) after 6 months of age, and kids who drink a lot of cow’s milk (more than 24 oz or 720mL per day). Kids who are anemic (usually from iron deficiency) get sick more often.
Eliminate exposure to cigarette smoke. Exposure to passive smoking increases the risk of upper respiratory infections.
Elderberry syrup – there is some evidence showing that elderberry syrup may reduce duration and severity of colds. As always, make sure to chat with your healthcare provider or make an appointment before adding any new supplements/vitamins/herbs in.
Probiotics (check with your healthcare provider first)
What probably doesn’t work to reduce the number of colds that your kid gets every year?
Antibacterial household cleansing products don’t reduce viral cold symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore throat) any more than non-antibacterial products AND can promote the growth of superbugs.
High dose vitamin D (2000IU per day) is no better than standard dose vitamin D (400IU per day) for reducing frequency of colds in essentially healthy kids.
Vitamin C supplementation doesn’t reduce the incidence of the common cold, although it might reduce the length of time that your kid has cold symptoms.
Have more questions about your kid and colds? Schedule a complimentary 15 minute meet & greet visit to see how naturopathic medicine/functional medicine can help.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms or health concerns.
