KidsHealth Parents Infections
From the sniffles and sneezes to a sore throat and annoying cough, the common cold usually catches up with us at one time or another. With kids getting as many as eight colds per year or more, this contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract is the most common infectious disease in the United States and the number-one reason children visit the doctor and stay home from school. What Causes Colds?
Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses (the name comes from "rhin," the Greek word for nose) that are in invisible droplets in the air we breathe or on things we touch. More than 100 different rhinoviruses can infiltrate the protective lining of the nose and throat, triggering an immune system reaction that can make your child's throat sore, his or her head ache, and can make it hard for your child to breathe through the nose. Air that's dry - indoors or out - can lower your child's resistance to infection by the viruses that cause colds. And so can being a smoker or being around someone who's smoking . People who smoke are more likely to catch a cold than people who don't - and their symptoms will probably be worse, last longer, and are more likely to lead to bronchitis or even | |
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