COMMON COLD IN PEDIATRC AGE GROUP

COMMON COLD IN PEDIATRC AGE GROUP is the common complaint . In majority of cases it is due to viral infection (common cold) like influenza, para influenza.

  COMMON COLD IN PEDIATRC AGE GROUP

Predisposing Factors

Sudden change in climate, overcrowd- ing, increased susceptibility during the epidemic of viral infection like influenza.

SYMPTOMS OF COMMON COLD IN PEDIATRC AGE GROUP

The child may present with- 

1. Running of nose: Watery discharge from nose along with sneezing
2. Fever and irritability: Due to viremia
3. Excessive crying: Due to blockage of opening of eustachian tube and pressure over ear drums
4. Irritation of throat: Due to post nasal drip
5. Watering of eyes In complicated cases there might
6. be purulent discharge from nose or ear (due to secondary infection)

SIGN OF COMMON COLD IN PEDIATRC AGE GROUP

1. Irritable child with mild to moderate fever
2. Watery discharge from nose and eyes
3. Congestion of nasal mucosa, there might be conjunctival congestion- mainly at lateral angle of the eyes
4.In complicated cases there might be tenderness over para nasal sinuses, congestion of throat and discharge from ear
5. No respiratory auscultatory signs

Differential Diagnosis 

Running of Nose

1. Allergic Rhinitis

a. History of repeated attacks
b. Associated symptoms and signs such as wheezing, bron- chospasm

2. Bacterial Infection of Upper Respiratory Tract

a. Moderate to high fever
b. Purulent discharge from nose
C. Congestion of throat or tonsils might be present
d. Palpable cervical lymph nodes near the angle of the mandible

3. Foreign Body in the Nose

a. Unilateral discharge from nose
b. May be associated with bleeding from nose

4. Nasal Polyp

a. Difficulty in breathing from affected nostril
b. Discharge from the same nostril

5. Syphilitic Snuffles

Though rare, other signs of con- genital syphilis should be looked fo if the running of nose is associated with ulceration of nasal mucosa, excoriation of upper lip and de- pressed nasal bridge.

INVESTIGATION OF COMMON COLD IN PEDIATRC AGE GROUP

In uncomplicated cases no investigation is required.

Treatment For symptomatic relief- 

1. To relieve nasal congestion: Local nasal drops- Nasivion pediatric nasal drops Put 1-2 drops in             each nostril for 2-3 times in a day. Discontinue the drops within few days, or when running of the        nose has stopped.
2. For fever: Syr. Paracetamol 30-40 mg/kg/day in 4 divided dos- es till the fever subsides.
3. Antihistaminic agent: to relieve na- sal congestion: Pseudoephedrine mg/kg/ day in divided doses-      should not be used for prolonged period.

The duration, frequency, character (hacking, brassy, barking, paroxysmal cough) followed by long and deep noisy inspiration (‘whoop’), should be looked for. Ask whether cough is dry or productive, postural relationship, diurnal variations and asso- ciated features. In children with bronchitis, wheezing and congestive heart failure, cough is worse on lying down and during sleep. Cough is worse at night and early morning in children with bronchial asthma. Infants do not expectorate but they swallow the phlegm and may vomit it out. History of inhalation of a foreign body should always be enquired in any child with sudden onset of choking and cough with breathlessness and in children with recurrent or persistent pulmonary suppuration. Many a times clinical morphology of cough provides more useful information than findings on auscultation of chest. The characteristic nature of various types of cough and the likely underlying