How is it transmitted?

Transmission occurs through: respiratory droplets emitted when coughing, sneezing, or speaking; direct contact (hands, kissing); contaminated surfaces (door handles, toys, touchscreens, books, utensils), and self-inoculation (the child touches a contaminated object and then their nose, mouth, or eyes). Group settings (school, nursery, daycare) = ideal conditions for transmission: close contact, sharing of materials, and children still learning proper hygiene. Most contagious period: the first 2 days after symptoms appear; contagiousness persists as long as the runny nose remains profuse. Transmission decreases significantly after one week.

Boosting a child’s immunity?

A varied and balanced diet (5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, nuts and seeds). Vitamin C from fresh fruits (kiwi, citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, parsley). Vitamin D3 according to pediatric recommendations (routine winter supplementation, as prescribed by a doctor). Zinc from meats, legumes, cheeses, and nuts. Dietary probiotics (plain yogurt, kefir, raw-milk cheeses for older children). Adequate sleep (10–13 hours for school-age children). Regular outdoor physical activity (at least 60 minutes per day according to the WHO). Moderate sun exposure for vitamin D synthesis. Managing family and school-related stress. Limiting screen time; spending more time outdoors. Occasional courses of propolis, echinacea, or royal jelly as advised by a pharmacist, tailored to the child’s age.

When to Seek Medical Care and How to Manage School?

Medical consultation: fever above 38.5 °C lasting more than 3 days, breathing difficulties (shortness of breath, wheezing, retractions), severe ear pain or discharge (suspected ear infection), persistent facial pain (sinusitis), a cough lasting more than 10–14 days, worsening symptoms after initial improvement (bacterial superinfection), associated skin rash, unusual drowsiness, stiff neck, vomiting (emergency), asthma attack in a child with asthma, prolonged refusal to eat and signs of dehydration, history of chronic respiratory disease. School attendance: fever (must remain fever-free for up to 24 hours without antipyretics), general condition (sufficient energy), severe respiratory symptoms (rest is recommended), school policy. Most contagious period: first 2–3 days. Return to school with proper hygiene practices: disposable tissues, frequent handwashing, covering the mouth with the elbow.

Colds in Children: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Q: What is the common cold in children?

A very common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, sinuses), caused by more than 200 different viruses. Rhinoviruses are the most common, followed by seasonal coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus. Common but uncomfortable, it is a normal stage in a child’s immune development. A child may experience 6–10 episodes of the common cold per year, particularly between the ages of 1 and 6, especially in group settings (daycare, school, after-school care). Viruses circulate more frequently during the cold season, but colds can also occur in the summer. Average duration: 7–10 days with gradual improvement, sometimes prolonged by a lingering cough.

Q: What symptoms should you look for?

Symptoms appear 1–3 days after exposure. Clear nasal discharge that later thickens and turns yellow. Stuffy nose, mouth breathing, snoring. Frequent sneezing. Mild sore throat, tingling sensation. Cough starts out dry, then becomes productive. Moderate fever (rarely above 38.5 °C). Mild headaches. Fatigue, irritability, low energy. Temporary loss of appetite. Watery eyes, sensation of eye strain. Symptoms peak around the third day, then begin to improve. A cough or runny nose may persist for another week but is not serious.

Q: Cold or flu: what’s the difference?

These two viral infections share some symptoms but differ in severity and course. Cold: gradual onset over 2–3 days, moderate or no fever, predominant nasal symptoms, mild fatigue, and a mild course lasting 7–10 days. Flu: sudden onset within a few hours, high fever (39–40 °C), severe body aches, marked and prolonged fatigue, severe headaches, sometimes digestive issues, and a course lasting 7–15 days followed by recovery. Other respiratory infections that may resemble a cold: COVID-19 (variable symptoms), viral or bacterial sore throat (predominantly sore throat), ear infection (ear pain), sinusitis (facial pain). Seek medical attention if in doubt, especially for vulnerable children.

Q: How can symptoms be relieved?

No treatment cures the common cold: management is symptomatic. Rinse the nose with saline solution or isotonic seawater several times a day, especially before meals and at bedtime. Drink plenty of fluids (water, warm herbal teas, soups, broths). Get plenty of rest and limit strenuous activities. Humidify the air in the room. Keep the room temperature between 18–20 °C. Sleep with your head slightly elevated. Pediatric acetaminophen if fever exceeds 38.5 °C or there is significant discomfort; dosage based on weight. Throat lozenges or syrups starting at the appropriate age. Disposable tissues. Avoid: nasal decongestants (contraindicated before age 15 according to the ANSM, due to cardiovascular risks), codeine-based cough suppressants (contraindicated before age 12), aspirin (Reye’s syndrome), essential oils before 30 months of age, concentrated camphor, concentrated menthol.

What is the common cold in children?

A child’s cold is a very common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, sinuses), caused by more than 200 different viruses. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause, followed by seasonal coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Although common and uncomfortable, the common cold is a normal part of a child’s immune system development.

A child may experience 6 to 10 episodes of the common cold per year, particularly between the ages of 1 and 6, and especially in group settings (daycare, school, after-school care). The cold season sees the highest concentration of circulating viruses, but summer colds do occur. The average duration is 7 to 10 days, with a gradual improvement, sometimes followed by a lingering cough. Additional resources are available for the common cold and colds in infants in general.

How is it spread?

The common cold is transmitted primarily through:

Respiratory droplets emitted when coughing, sneezing, or speaking
Direct contact with an infected person (hands, kissing)
Contaminated surfaces: doorknobs, toys, touchscreens, books, utensils
Self-inoculation: a child touches a contaminated object and then their nose, mouth, or eyes

Group settings (schools, daycare centers, and preschools) provide an ideal environment for transmission: close contact, sharing of materials, and children still learning proper hygiene. The most contagious period covers the first 2 days after symptoms appear and lasts as long as the runny nose remains heavy. Transmission decreases significantly after one week. There are specific resources available for preventing the common cold in general.

What symptoms should you look for?

Cold symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure:

Clearnasal discharge that gradually thickens and turns yellow
Stuffy nose, mouth breathing, snoring
Frequentsneezing
Mildsore throat, tickling sensation
Initially drycough, later becoming productive
Moderate fever (rarely above 38.5 °C)
Mildheadaches
Fatigue, irritability, loss of energy
Temporaryloss of appetite
Watery eyes, sensation of eye strain

Symptoms generally peak around the third day, after which improvement begins. A cough or runny nose may persist for another week but is not a cause for concern.

Cold or flu: what’s the difference?

Both viral infections share certain symptoms but differ in their severity and course:

Common cold: gradual onset over 2–3 days, moderate or no fever, primarily nasal symptoms, mild fatigue, mild course lasting 7–10 days
Flu: sudden onset within a few hours, high fever (39–40 °C), severe body aches, marked and prolonged fatigue, severe headaches, sometimes digestive issues, course lasting 7 to 15 days followed by recovery

Other respiratory infections may resemble a cold: COVID-19 (variable symptoms), viral or bacterial sore throat (predominantly sore throat), ear infection (ear pain), and sinusitis (facial pain). If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, a medical consultation is necessary, especially for vulnerable children. Specific resources are available for the flu and coughs in children in general.

How can symptoms be relieved?

No treatment cures the common cold: management aims to relieve symptoms and support the body’s natural recovery:

Nasal irrigation with saline solution or isotonic seawater several times a day, especially before meals and at bedtime
Drink plenty of fluids: water, warm herbal teas, soups, and broths
Rest and limit strenuous activities
Humidify the air (use a cool-mist humidifier or place a damp cloth on a radiator)
Room temperature of 18–20 °C
Keepthe head slightly elevated while sleeping to facilitate breathing
Pediatric acetaminophen if fever exceeds 38.5 °C or there is significant discomfort, at a dosage appropriate for the child’s weight
Throat-soothinglozenges or syrups for children of the appropriate age (as advised by a pharmacist)
Single-usedisposable tissues
Gently brush teeth after taking lozenges or syrups containing sugar

Avoid or use with caution: oral or nasal spray decongestants (contraindicated before age 15 according to the ANSM, due to serious cardiovascular risks), codeine-based cough suppressants (contraindicated before age 12), aspirin (risk of Reye’s syndrome), aromatic essential oils applied directly to the skin before 30 months of age, and concentrated camphor and menthol. For fever in general, specific resources are available.

How can you boost a child’s immunity?

Several approaches can provide long-term support for the immune system:

A varied and balanced diet: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and nuts
Vitamin C from fresh fruits (kiwi, citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, parsley)
Vitamin D3 according to pediatric recommendations (routine winter supplementation for children, by doctor’s prescription)
Zinc from meats, legumes, cheeses, and nuts
Dietary probiotics: plain yogurt, kefir, raw milk cheeses for older children
Adequate sleep: 10–13 hours for school-age children
Regular outdoorphysical activity (at least 60 minutes per day, according to the WHO)
Moderate sun exposure to support vitamin D synthesis
Managing family and school-relatedstress
Limiting screen time, spending more time outdoors
Occasionaluse of propolis, echinacea, and royal jelly as advised by a pharmacist, age-appropriate

To boost a child’s natural immunity, vitamin D3, vitamin C, and overall sleep, specific resources are available.

When to seek medical advice and how to manage school?

Several situations warrant a medical consultation:

A fever higher than 38.5°C lasting more than 3 days
Breathing difficulties: shortness of breath, wheezing, retractions
Severe ear pain or discharge (suspected ear infection)
Persistent facial pain (sinusitis)
A cough lasting more than 10 to 14 days
Worsening of symptoms after initial improvement (bacterial superinfection)
Associated rash
Unusual drowsiness, stiff neck, vomiting (medical emergency)
Asthma attack in a child with asthma
Prolonged refusal to eat and signs of dehydration
History of chronic respiratory disease

Regarding school attendance, a child may stay home or return to school based on several criteria: fever (must remain fever-free for up to 24 hours without antipyretics), general condition (enough energy to participate in activities), severe respiratory symptoms (rest is recommended), school policy. The most contagious period is during the first 2–3 days. Returning to school should ideally be accompanied by good hygiene practices: disposable tissues, frequent handwashing, and covering the mouth with the elbow when sneezing or coughing.

Specific resources are available forchildren and childhood colds in general. Your pharmacist remains a valuable resource for guiding age-appropriate care, recommending suitable products, and identifying signs that require a doctor’s visit, in addition to regular pediatric follow-up.