What causes coughs and colds and what are the symptoms?
Most coughs and colds are caused by viruses. Many different viruses can infect the nose and throat. They are passed on by coughing and sneezing the virus into the air. An average primary school child has 3-8 coughs or colds per year. Sometimes several coughs or colds occur one after the other. A child who lives with smokers has an increased risk of developing coughs and colds. • The common symptoms are a cough and a runny nose. The cough is often worse at night. Coughing does not damage the lungs. A coughing child will not choke or stop breathing. • In addition, a child may have: a raised temperature (fever), a sore throat, headache, tiredness, and be off their food. Sometimes children vomit after a bout of coughing. • A build up of mucus behind the eardrums may cause dulled hearing or mild earache. What are the treatments for coughs and colds? There is no magic cure! Typically, symptoms are worse in the first 2-3 days, and then ease over the next few days. An irritating cough may ling
