Nobody wants to see their little one miserable with an illness. A cold can make children of all ages uncomfortable and unhappy for several days or longer, but a cold can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter medications, rest and some love from Mom and Dad. You may be inclined to skip a visit to your pediatric doctor if you think your child has a common cold that will go away on its own. However, if your child has any of these signs, it may be more than a basic cold.
Extreme Irritability
Children can get cranky when they have a runny or stuffy nose, a cough and other signs of a cold. However, when they are dealing with significant pain from a very sore throat, an ear infection or breathing difficulties, they may get very irritable. Some may even appear to be panicking. In fact, with babies who cannot communicate their discomfort, it may take extreme effort to soothe them. This type of irritability is a sign that your child has more than just nagging symptoms of a cold, and a trip to the pediatric doctor is in order.
A High Fever
Common colds typically do not result in a high fever. Older children may not run a fever at all with a common cold, and younger children may only run a low-grade fever. A high fever may indicate that your child has strep throat, the flu or other significant issues that need to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor like those at Entira Family Clinics. Remember that a very high fever in a young child is a medical emergency and should be treated in the emergency room.
Digestive System Symptoms
While a cold may make a little one lose his or her appetite, significant digestive symptoms are not related to a cold. If your child is vomiting, has diarrhea or is showing other signs of stomach upset, you should not assume that he or she has a cold. Many other illnesses may look like a cold at first, but when other symptoms not related to a cold develop, you need to take a closer look at what the cause may be.
Many experienced parents may easily recognize the signs of different types of illnesses in their children, but some illnesses may not be as easily identified. As soon as you notice a sign that you are not dealing with a typical cold, your child should be seen by a doctor. Remember that some conditions, such as the flu, may be less severe when they are diagnosed and treated early.
