Why do children often cough and runny nose?

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Medical Video: 40 percent of parents give young kids cough/cold medicine that they shouldn't

Children often have long coughs and colds, so maybe you are tired of dealing with them? Yes, young children are more vulnerable to contracting disease. Immature children 's immune system might make viruses or germs easier to make them sick. However, what actually causes children to often cough and runny nose?

What causes children to often cough and runny nose?

Common coughs and colds can be caused due to viral infections of the nose, throat and sinuses. Young children can experience coughs and colds more often than older children and adults because young children do not have a strong immune system. Small children have not built up immunity to more than 100 different viruses that cause colds.

Before the age of 7 years, the child's immune system is not fully strong. In addition, the respiratory tract of the child (including the ears and surrounding area) has not fully developed until after school age. So, this allows more bacteria and viruses to attack your child's immunity.

However, if children often experience coughs and colds, do not immediately assume that your child has a weak immune system. When he was exposed to coughs and colds, he was only exposed to many viruses. If a cold often causes more serious problems, maybe the child's immune system is declining.

Children can get coughs and colds because they are infected by people around them, such as relatives, parents, family members, friends, and others. Children who often play with friends, may experience coughs and colds more often. Small children usually do not close their mouths when coughing or sneezing, thus facilitating the spread of germs to other friends. In addition, young children also often hold the nose and mouth, then hold objects around it, so that viruses and germs can spread more.

The rainy season can also affect coughs and colds in children. This season, children can experience coughs and colds more often. Toddler children can experience coughs and colds up to 9 times each year. Meanwhile, adults can get coughing 2-4 times a year.

When a child has been exposed to a virus that causes coughs and colds, the child's immune system will recognize it so that the child's immune system becomes stronger. Therefore, the frequency of coughs and colds will decrease in older children.

Can coughs and colds be a sign of serious illness?

Coughs and colds are usually accompanied by fever and last around 1-2 weeks. Some respiratory viruses that cause colds in older children and adults can cause more serious illness when the virus infects babies and toddlers. Some diseases caused by the virus are:

  • Croup (laryngotrakeobronchitis), with symptoms of hoarseness, makes a sound when breathing, coughs heavily
  • Bronchiolitis, with symptoms of wheezing, difficulty breathing
  • Sore eyes
  • Sore throat
  • Swelling of the glands in the neck

How can children avoid coughs and colds?

Children are usually exposed to coughs and colds because they are infected, can be from people around them or from objects contaminated with cough and cold viruses. Usually, children often hold objects around them, they do not know whether the objects around them are clean or not. After holding the object, then the child holds his limb or puts his finger in his mouth or nose.

Therefore, to prevent coughs and colds in children, you can teach children to always wash their hands. Familiarize children to always wash their hands after from the bathroom, before and after eating, and after playing. Do not forget to wash your hands using soap so that the germs that stick to your child's hands die and make sure all parts of the hands are exposed to soap and water. This is a small thing, but can affect a child's health.

If your child is experiencing coughs and colds, teach the child to always cover his mouth when sneezing and coughing. The child can cover his mouth with a tissue or with his sleeve. This aims to prevent transmission of the virus to people around him.

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Why do children often cough and runny nose?
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