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Common Cold

The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in children, caused by several viruses. Symptoms include nasal congestion, rhinitis, low-grade fever, and sore throat. While the cold itself requires no specific treatment, fever and congestion can be managed with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, saline drops, and vaporizers. Antibiotics are not effective for viral infections unless a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Parents should monitor for complications like ear infections.

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58 views1 page

Common Cold

The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in children, caused by several viruses. Symptoms include nasal congestion, rhinitis, low-grade fever, and sore throat. While the cold itself requires no specific treatment, fever and congestion can be managed with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, saline drops, and vaporizers. Antibiotics are not effective for viral infections unless a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Parents should monitor for complications like ear infections.

Uploaded by

LalisaM Activity
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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By: Zairra Basig

ACUTE NASOPHARYNGITIS Infants cannot suck and breathe through their


(COMMON COLD) mouth at the same time, they refuse feedings
leading to dehydration.
most frequent infectious disease in children
THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT
toddlers have an average of 10 to 12 colds a year
 no specific treatment
School-age children and adolescents have as
 antibiotics are not effective unless a
many as four or five yearly
secondary
incubation period is typically 2 to 3 days  bacterial invasion has occurred
 If a child has a fever, it can be controlled
Most occur in the fall and winter by an antipyretic such as acetaminophen
(Tylenol) or children’s ibuprofen (Motrin).
 effective only in controlling fever
CAUSES symptoms; they do not reduce
congestion or “cure” the cold
 several viruses, most predominantly by:
 children younger than 18 years should not
 rhinovirus
be given acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
 coxsackievirus
 associated with the development of
 RSV
Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal
 adenovirus
neurologic disorder
 parainfluenza
 saline nose drops or nasal spray may be
 influenza viruses
prescribed to liquefy nasal secretions and
 stress factors
help them drain
 Removing nasal mucus via a bulb syringe
before feedings also allows infants to
SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE COLD VIRUSES:
breathe more freely and be able to suck
 in ill health from some other cause more efficiently.
 Immune system is compromised  if using a bulb syringe, compress the bulb
first, then insert it into the child’s nostril
 If the bulb syringe is inserted first,
ASSESSMENT depress the bulb to push secretions
further back into the nose, causing
Symptoms: increased obstruction.
 nasal congestion  Guaifenesin
 a watery rhinitis  loosens secretions but does not
 a low-grade fever suppress a cough so is safe to use
 mucous membrane of the nose  cool mist vaporizer to help loosen nasal
becomes edematous and inflamed, secretions
constricting airway space and causing  safe use of a vaporizer, including proper
difficulty breathing cleaning, must be stressed or it can serve
 Posterior rhinitis + local irritation = as a reservoir for microorganisms
pharyngitis (sore throat)
 Upper airway secretions that drain into
the trachea lead to a cough Nursing Diagnoses and Related Interventions
 Cervical lymph nodes may be swollen
and palpable. 1. Parental health-seeking behaviors related
to management of child’s upper
respiratory symptoms
In some children, a thick, purulent nasal  possible complication of a cold is
discharge occurs because bacteria such as otitis media (middle ear infection)
streptococci invade the irritated nasal
mucous membrane and cause a secondary
purulent infection.
With common cold, infants may develop:
 a fever elevated out of proportion
to the symptoms, possibly as high
as 102° to 104° F (38.8° to 40°
C).
 secondary symptoms, such as
vomiting and diarrhea

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