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Open 7 Days a Week. No Appointment Necessary
Need help accessing your test results? Click Here
What is a cold?
When your child has a cold, he often has a runny or stuffy nose. He may also have a fever, sore throat, cough, or hoarseness.
Viruses cause most colds. You can expect a healthy child to get about 6 colds a year.
How can I take care of my child?
How long does it last?
Usually the fever lasts less than 3 days, and all nose and throat symptoms are gone in a week. A cough may last 2 to 3 weeks. Watch for signs of bacterial infections such as an earache, sinus pain, yellow discharge from the ear canal, yellow drainage from the eyes, or fast breathing.
Call your child’s doctor right away if:
Call your child’s doctor during office hours if:
Disclaimer
Written by Barton D. Schmitt, MD, author of “My Child Is Sick”, American Academy of Pediatrics Books. Pediatric Advisor 2012.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2009-08-13 Last reviewed: 2011-06-06
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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