When a child gets sick, it is always a stressful and confusing time.
Do they have the flu, the common cold or an allergy attack? Even the simplest symptoms, like coughs and colds can send the average parent into panic mode, until they can get the child to a pediatrician to find out what is really going on.
In this article we will give you the symptoms you need to watch for, and explain the difference between a simple illness and an allergic reaction.
Coughs and Colds The most common reason that toddler age children are brought to see their pediatrician in an emergency situation is because they have suddenly developed a cough or cold, without warning.
The good news is that most toddlers, and older children, will experience at least three to ten colds a year, especially if they are of school age and each one could last up to 14 days before all symptoms disappear.
It is rare that any of these colds will develop into something worse, especially if you treat the symptoms accordingly, under a doctor's care.
Colds are caused by the rhinovirus, one that is especially easy to transfer from one child to another.
Coughing without covering their mouths, or sneezing and then touching a commonly shared item will immediately transfer the virus to someone else, unless precautions, like hand sanitizers, are taken.
The symptoms of a cold include sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, a mild fever and sore throats.
As it works its way out of your child's system, as their immune system takes over, their nose might become stuffed, and their coughing will worsen, as the body tries to get rid of the building mucus.
If you are concerned that it might be something more, take your child to their pediatrician for a checkup.
Respiratory Infections In rare cases, the coughing will linger on after the rest of the symptoms of a cold have left.
There might be leftover mucus caught up in the nasal passages or chest, and the coughing is a sign of it clearing up.
If you do not notice any release of mucus, nothing coming up when your child coughs, then take them to see their pediatrician for a checkup, in case it may be a sign of something else, like a mild respiratory infection.
If your child has a cough, as well as a persistent fever, chronic mucus, or their breathing becomes labored, a trip to the pediatric is very important at this stage.
Treating them at home with over-the-counter cough medicine, even those that are age appropriate may not be enough.
Symptoms like these could mean that they are developing bronchitis, pneumonia, croup or even asthma, and should be examined closely by your pediatrician.
Allergies A lot of allergies can have the same basic symptoms, exactly like those of coughs and colds.
Not all children develop a fever during a cold, and the only way to determine for certain that it is a cold is to visit the pediatrician.
However, if, your child develops a rash, their breathing becomes labored, or you can feel swelling around their throat, under their chin, or alongside their ears, it may be the beginning signs of an allergic reaction.
Some parents, especially those with allergies themselves, will make it a point to have their children undergo the basic allergy tests that their pediatrician can administer.
Just because the parent has an allergy or asthma, it does not mean that the child will but it is always best to be on the side of caution in these circumstances.
Do they have the flu, the common cold or an allergy attack? Even the simplest symptoms, like coughs and colds can send the average parent into panic mode, until they can get the child to a pediatrician to find out what is really going on.
In this article we will give you the symptoms you need to watch for, and explain the difference between a simple illness and an allergic reaction.
Coughs and Colds The most common reason that toddler age children are brought to see their pediatrician in an emergency situation is because they have suddenly developed a cough or cold, without warning.
The good news is that most toddlers, and older children, will experience at least three to ten colds a year, especially if they are of school age and each one could last up to 14 days before all symptoms disappear.
It is rare that any of these colds will develop into something worse, especially if you treat the symptoms accordingly, under a doctor's care.
Colds are caused by the rhinovirus, one that is especially easy to transfer from one child to another.
Coughing without covering their mouths, or sneezing and then touching a commonly shared item will immediately transfer the virus to someone else, unless precautions, like hand sanitizers, are taken.
The symptoms of a cold include sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, a mild fever and sore throats.
As it works its way out of your child's system, as their immune system takes over, their nose might become stuffed, and their coughing will worsen, as the body tries to get rid of the building mucus.
If you are concerned that it might be something more, take your child to their pediatrician for a checkup.
Respiratory Infections In rare cases, the coughing will linger on after the rest of the symptoms of a cold have left.
There might be leftover mucus caught up in the nasal passages or chest, and the coughing is a sign of it clearing up.
If you do not notice any release of mucus, nothing coming up when your child coughs, then take them to see their pediatrician for a checkup, in case it may be a sign of something else, like a mild respiratory infection.
If your child has a cough, as well as a persistent fever, chronic mucus, or their breathing becomes labored, a trip to the pediatric is very important at this stage.
Treating them at home with over-the-counter cough medicine, even those that are age appropriate may not be enough.
Symptoms like these could mean that they are developing bronchitis, pneumonia, croup or even asthma, and should be examined closely by your pediatrician.
Allergies A lot of allergies can have the same basic symptoms, exactly like those of coughs and colds.
Not all children develop a fever during a cold, and the only way to determine for certain that it is a cold is to visit the pediatrician.
However, if, your child develops a rash, their breathing becomes labored, or you can feel swelling around their throat, under their chin, or alongside their ears, it may be the beginning signs of an allergic reaction.
Some parents, especially those with allergies themselves, will make it a point to have their children undergo the basic allergy tests that their pediatrician can administer.
Just because the parent has an allergy or asthma, it does not mean that the child will but it is always best to be on the side of caution in these circumstances.