Cough and Cold

First of all, it is important to understand that the average child gets 6 to 10 colds per year. Many of these colds may be mild and go unnoticed by parents. Colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics will have no effect on the viruses that cause colds. The symptoms of a cold can be treated very successfully at home. Having a sick child at home can be distressing; however, most children with colds do not need to see a nurse/doctor. Occasional vomiting/throwing up, after a coughing spell is common and is not a serious symptom. A cold may cause a dry cough which can last up to 2 or 3 weeks after other symptoms have passed. Sore throats and earaches are also commonly associated with colds.

If your child has cough and cold symptoms, please answer the following questions in order to learn more about what to do next.

If even one of the following applies to your child, please click 'Yes'

Is your child less than 3 months old?

or

Does your child have a fever above
39.5C (103F) Rectal or 39C (102F) Oral?

or

Does the child look severely ill?

or

Does your child have difficulty breathing?

or

Does your child have severe difficulty swallowing?

Information is provided by HealthyOntario.com as a public service and is general in nature. Please remember that information alone can't take the place of health care you may need.

Do not rely upon any of the information provided on this site for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your primary health care provider about any personal health concerns