The first symptoms of a cold are often - an irritated nose or scratchy "tickle” throat. Once you have "caught" a cold, the symptoms usually begin in 2 or 3 days, though it may take a week. Typically, is the first sign, followed within hours by sneezing and a watery nasal discharge.
The common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. It can be caused by a number of common viruses - most typically the rhinoviruses and corona viruses. The common cold affects the nose, throat, sinuses, ears, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. The incidence of colds is greatest in school-age children and declines with age.

Children with colds may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, mild fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. Within one to three days, the runny nose turns into a runny or stuffy nose where the nasal secretions usually become thicker and perhaps yellow or green. This is a normal part of the common cold and not a reason for antibiotics. During this period, children's eardrums are usually congested and there may be fluid behind the ears, regardless of whether or not the child will end up with a true bacterial infection.

Medicine cannot cure the common cold but can be used to relieve some of the symptoms such as muscle ache and headache. It is better to avoid antibiotics.
At home one can try to use salt-water drops in the nostrils to relieve nasal congestion; a cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture; and petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose to soothe rawness. An older child can suck on hard candy or cough drops to relieve sore throat. The best medicine is Yogurt; give your child yogurt or oranges to eat. Also give them plenty of extra fluids - juice, water, and carbonated beverages - should be consumed. Rest is also required.

A child's doctor should be called if there is increased throat pain; coughing which produces green or gray sputum or lasts more than 10 days; fever lasting several days or over 101F; or if the child has shaking chills, chest pain or shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, poor intake of fluids, pain in the ear, unusual lethargy, enlarged, tender glands in the neck, or blue lips, skin or fingernails.

To prevent catching or spreading a cold, a child should avoid contact with other people for the first two to four days of the cold. Unfortunately, someone just coming down with a cold is contagious even before they know they have an infection.

Children with colds should wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after blowing the nose, before eating etc. They should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use paper towels instead of shared cloth towel. Some people believe that people may be more susceptible to colds if they are stressed or tired; if they do not eat nutritious meals; and if they are exposed to cold, wet weather - but there is little evidence to support many of these common beliefs.

Children usually recover from a cold in seven to 14 days. Sometimes complications such as sinusitis, ear infection, laryngitis or bronchitis will prolong the illness.