After Care Instructions for Children 1-5 years old with a URI
Your child has a common cold (viral upper respiratory infection). These are caused by viruses, so antibiotics will not help and are not needed. Most colds get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days, though a cough can linger for up to 2 weeks. The goal at home is to keep your child comfortable and well hydrated while the illness runs its course.
Home Care
- Fluids: Offer plenty of liquids (water, milk, or their usual drinks) in small, frequent amounts to prevent dehydration.
- Rest: Let your child rest as much as they want. They can return to daycare or normal activity once fever-free for 24 hours (without fever medicine) and feeling well enough.
- Stuffy nose: Use saline (saltwater) nose drops or spray. For younger children, you can gently suction the nose with a bulb syringe, especially before meals and sleep.
- Cough and throat soothing: For a child over 12 months of age, a small amount of honey (about 1 teaspoon) can help soothe a cough. Never give honey to a baby under 12 months.
- Humidified air: A cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom may ease congestion. Clean it regularly.
- Fever comfort: If your child is uncomfortable or has a fever, you may give acetaminophen (any age over 3 months) or ibuprofen (age 6 months and older).
- A word on fever phobia: A fever is 100.4°F (38°C) or above. A fever by itself is not dangerous. It is a result of your immune system responding appropriately. Low fevers (100.4°F – 104°F or 38°C – 40°C) are helpful for fighting infection faster. You do not need to treat a fever if your child is drinking, sleeping and acting normally. We often say treat the child, not the fever. If your child is in pain, whining, not sleeping, not eating or drinking well, or otherwise uncomfortable, it is okay to give tylenol or ibuprofen regardless of temperature.
Important Safety Warnings
- Do NOT give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines (such as multi-symptom cold syrups, decongestants, or antihistamine combinations) to children under 4 years, and avoid them up to age 6 — they do not work well and can cause serious side effects.
- Never give aspirin to a child or teen with a viral illness (risk of Reye syndrome).
- Do not give honey to any child under 12 months.
- Do not give more than one medicine containing the same ingredient (for example, two products that both contain acetaminophen).
Call Your Doctor or Seek Care If Your Child Has:
- Trouble breathing — fast breathing, working hard to breathe, ribs pulling in, or grunting
- Bluish lips or face
- Signs of dehydration — no wet diaper or no urination for 24 hours, no tears when crying, dry mouth, sunken eyes
- Not drinking, or unusually sleepy, limp, or hard to wake
- Ear pain, pulling at the ears, or fluid draining from an ear
- Symptoms that get worse after starting to improve, or that last longer than 10 days
- Persistent, high fever with looking very ill
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C) that lasts longer than 5 days
Go to the Emergency Room or Call 911 If Your Child Has:
- Severe trouble breathing, or pauses in breathing
- Blue or gray lips, face, or tongue
- Is unresponsive, extremely difficult to wake, or having a seizure
When in doubt about how your child is doing, trust your instincts and contact your child’s healthcare provider.
