Pediatricians in Fairfield CT Handling Coughs and Colds

The season of common colds typically runs from early September to March, and if you think this is a busy season for pediatricians in Fairfield CT, you’d be right. Although the chilly months are when most children fall ill, symptoms of the common cold can actually occur at any point in the year. As a parent, seeing your child become sick can be stressful for both you and your child.

You want to know how to make your child comfortable and how to know if it’s more than the common cold. Our team at the Center for Pediatric Medicine wants to make sure you are well prepared to care for your child when he or she falls ill. And if you think it’s more than the common cold, we want you to have a team of pediatricians in Fairfield CT that you can turn to and trust.

One of the most common worries that parents have when their child falls ill: is it more than just a cold? Parenthood is stressful enough without having to face off microscopic enemies. A virus is an unseeable infectious agent that lives in all life forms. Sometimes our bodies take a hit while our cells fight off this invader. Other times, the virus is heroically conquered, asymptomatically. The common cold is caused by a variety of viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, and adenovirus.

These viruses have strains, so while you or your child may recover and develop immunity from one strain of a virus, there is a chance of catching a different strain and developing cold symptoms again. In other words, the common cold is a repeat offender and experts say that adults should expect to get sick around twice a year and children should expect to get sick around six times a year.

Knowing that it’s very normal for your child to get sick multiple times a year should ease your fear that it may be more severe. After all, your child is likely exposed to many other children during the day which can increase their chances of exposure. That isn’t to say that you need to isolate your children from their friends and peers! Children usually have stronger immune systems that allow them to battle their infections and develop immunity. A common cold is very common (hence the name!) and is not something your child can’t handle.

If your child becomes ill and you have suspicions that he or she may need professional medical care, there are some things you should look out for first. Monitoring your child’s fever status is very important, so if you don’t already have a thermometer, we recommend you get one. Be on the lookout for if your child’s fever and symptoms are improving, worsening, or stable. Ensure that your child is hydrated and well-rested.

If the symptoms, and especially the fever, start to worsen, we recommend you seek professional pediatric advice. If you’re a Southern Connecticut resident looking for pediatricians in Fairfield CT and want a team you can trust to make sure your child is comfortable and well cared for, our practice is ready to welcome you to our pediatric family and address all of your child’s needs.

An important and final piece of advice: fluids, fluids, fluids! Hydration is immeasurably important in maintaining body temperature. Even a small decrease in fluid intake can increase your child’s body temperature, which can exacerbate your child’s fever. Proper hydration even helps to decrease nasal irritation when coughing, sneezing, and breathing.

If your child is refusing or unable to drink, you should contact your pediatricians in Fairfield CT right away. This could be a sign in younger children that they are having difficulty breathing. If your child is older, he or she may be able to articulate this symptom. Warm drinks can also be beneficial.

We recommend giving your child tea with honey, which can be soothing for sore throats, or hot chocolate, wherein the steam can aid in opening air passages. There are many other home remedies for reducing your child’s cold symptoms which have no adverse side effects like over-the-counter cold medications have.

Making your child comfortable is one of the most important parts of addressing his or her cold! For more information on our office or advice on preparing for and caring for your child when he or she becomes sick, please call us at (203)790-0822. We are happy to answer any questions you have!