You wake up in a cranky mood. Your head hurts. You don't
have the energy to even get out of bed. And you can't breathe
out of your nose. What's wrong? You have a cold!
Having a cold is the number-one reason kids visit the
doctor
and stay home from school. Kids get up to eight colds per year with
each cold lasting an average of 5 to 7 days. Let's find out
more about them.
What Is a Cold?
A cold is an infection of the upper respiratory system. This
just means it affects the
nose
, throat, and
ears
. A cold
virus
gets inside your body and makes you sick. There are over 200
viruses that cause colds. The
rhinovirus
(say: rye-no-
vye
-rus) is the most common cold virus, but there are more than 200
viruses that cause colds. Because there are so many, there
isn't a vaccination, or shot, to prevent you from getting
colds.
Fortunately, your body already has the best cold cure - your
immune system. The immune system defends your body against illness.
White blood cells are the immune system's main warriors.
They're your own private army working to help you feel better.
Take that, cold viruses!
How Kids Catch Colds
Mucus
(say:
myoo
-kus) is the wet, slimy stuff inside the nose. When someone sneezes
or coughs, mucus drops float in the air. Breathing in these
droplets can spread a cold from one person to another.
You can also catch a cold if you touch your eyes or nose after
handling something with cold viruses on it. Video games, the doors
at the mall, and your school desk are all hot spots for viruses. So
be sure to
wash your hands
regularly.
Getting a cold works like space travel - the virus actually has
docking points that stick to the inside of your nose - just like a
small spaceship attaching to a mother ship! The virus takes over
the cells lining the nose and begins creating more viruses.
White blood cells charge to the nose's rescue and cause cold
symptoms, while also killing the virus that caused the cold.
Runny noses
and sneezing actually help to prevent viruses from invading other
parts of your body.
You
sneeze
because your nerves detect the irritation in your nose and get the
lungs to push a blast of air out through your nose and mouth. Your
body can sneeze over 100 miles an hour (161 kilometers per hour) -
faster than a car travels on the road, unless you're at a
racetrack!
Cold Clues
Symptoms
(say:
simp
-tumz) are signs or clues that tell doctors you're sick. Once
you've been in contact with a cold virus, it takes 2 to 3 days
for cold symptoms to begin. If you have some of the following
symptoms, you probably have a cold:
- low
fever
(100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.2 to 37.8 degrees
Celsius)
- body chills
- itchy or sore throat
- sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes
- coughing
- feeling tired and not hungry
- congestion (when your nose is stuffy and it's hard to
breathe)
Helping Kids Feel Better
Here are some feel-better tips:
-
Bring on the heat.
Hot drinks soothe coughs and sore throats while also clearing
mucus. So eat (or drink) your chicken soup!
-
Get steamed up.
A steamy shower helps stuffy or irritated noses. Or run a
humidifier (a small, quiet machine that sprays fine cool mist in
the air) to relieve your scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and itchy
eyes. Humidifiers make room air moist, which loosens mucus.
-
Practice healthy habits.
Your immune system will be ready to fight colds if you eat a
balanced diet
, get plenty of
sleep
, and keep your body fit through regular
exercise
.
-
Blow your horn.
Blowing your nose is the best way to get rid of mucus.
-
Rest.
Take a nap or go to bed a little earlier for a few nights.
-
De-stress.
Kids who are
stressed out
feel worse when they have colds. Relax and use the time to read,
listen to music, or watch a movie. In other words, chill out and
you might prevent a cold!
Updated and reviewed by:
Kevin P. Sheahan, MD
Date reviewed: October 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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