The Never-Ending Cold: How to Tell If It's Just a "Cold" or Something Else

With an immature immune system and exposure to new viruses all the time, children get an average of six colds per year. But, if your kid always seems to be sick, then you may be wondering: is it just another cold, or is it something else?

Here's how to tell the difference between an upper respiratory infection, an allergy, or another health issue.

Is It Just a Cold?

The symptoms of the common cold are well known:

Runny nose;
Nasal congestion;
Cough;
Low-grade fever.

But, if your child is getting one cold after another, then they may be suffering from an allergy or an infection of the adenoids.

How can you tell the difference?

While both colds and allergies have common symptoms like congestion or runny nose, allergies usually present additional signs, such as:

Rashes;
Itchy and watery eyes;
Headaches;
Excessive sneezing;
Dry cough;
Itchy ears;

Another major difference between the two is that while a cold is usually accompanied by fever, this is not a symptom of an allergy. Muscle pains, sore throat, and a hacking cough are also common symptoms of a regular cold while in the case of allergies these signs are very rare.

If left untreated, allergies can lead to asthma.

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What to Do If You Think Your Child Has a Cold or Seasonal Allergy

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If you notice that your child is feeling a bit under the weather, monitor their symptoms and encourage them to get plenty of rest. There's no need to rush them to the hospital if their symptoms are mild. Use over-the-counter medicine to help alleviate mild fever and throat pain and offer them plenty of liquids, such as warm teas and soups.

If the symptoms are getting more severe or if you suspect it may be something else than a cold, then we recommend getting in touch with a doctor. Mouth breathing from chronic nasal congestion can affect the development of the jaw and result in a narrow and high palate. This, in turn, can lead to teeth crowding, crooked teeth, and other orthodontic problems.

In the case of seasonal allergies, oral antihistamines are usually enough to alleviate the symptoms. But, if the treatment doesn’t seem to work, then a specialist can recommend a more personalized treatment plan for your child's specific needs.

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Let Premier Allergy and Asthma Create a Personalized Treatment Plan

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Living with allergies can affect the quality of your child's life. At Premier Allergy and Asthma, we take the time to understand our patients' needs and problems and create treatment plans that are designed to address the specific issues that bring discomfort to their lives.

Our appointments are quick, painless, and we usually provide the test results within 24 hours from the initial visit. Consult with our experienced pediatric allergy specialists today.

To book an appointment and provide your child with the relief they deserve, get in touch with us today.