Cough, Cold & Flu in Children 2-5 Years

The cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and usually lasts for up to one week. Your child likely came into contact with one of hundreds of viruses (likely a rhinovirus) from an infected person.

If your child goes to daycare, preschool or school and is around a lot of other children, they’re more likely to become infected. Children will catch the greatest number of colds because their immune system is not as strong and they spend more time at school where they are in close contact with other children.

Learn how to protect your entire family from cold viruses.

Approximately two to three days after being infected, your child will likely start showing symptoms of a cold, and they may complain that they have a sore or scratchy throat around 18 to 48 hours after being exposed to a cold-causing virus.

Now that your child is not longer a baby, they may be able to tell you exactly what’s bothering them. In some cases though, you may still need to keep an eye out for symptoms yourself.

Common cold symptoms include:

• Sore throat that is dry and scratchy
• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches and pains
• Runny nose and sneezing
• Stuffy nose — difficulty breathing may mean they may wake up throughout the night more than usual
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Dry cough
• Fatigue or mild weakness
• Loss of appetite

Like a cold, your child’s flu is caused by a highly contagious virus that is most commonly spread by coughing or sneezing. The flu is an infection of your child’s respiratory tract. While most children won’t become seriously ill, the flu can progress to pneumonia in those who already have a serious medical condition.

Learn how to protect your entire family from flu viruses.

While cold and flu symptoms are very similar, if symptoms appear suddenly and start with a high fever, it’s most likely the flu. If your child has a dry and scratchy throat before other symptoms appear, it’s most likely a cold. Also, the flu will leave your child extremely tired with moderate to severe body aches and pain.

Common flu symptoms include:

• Sudden onset of a fever that runs 39°C to 40°C and lasts for 3 to 4 days
• Moderate to severe headaches and body pain
• Chills
• Hot, moist skin and a flushed face
• Runny/stuffy nose with a clear, watery discharge
• Sore throat
• Extreme tiredness and general weakness
• Chest discomfort
• Cough — which can become severe
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain

Children who get the flu will likely get it faster and more severely than adults. Learn what you can do to help comfort your child when they have the flu.