infectiosum In general, the younger the child, the higher the fever. Symptoms may also include reddened, watery eyes; dry cough; mild swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes in the neck; and mild pain in the ears. It is often difficult to tell a cold from other illnesses that have similar symptoms. Usually it is assumed to be a cold if the familiar cold symptoms occur but symptoms of other illnesses do not. Another clue is that a cold lasts only three to ten days. HOME CARE Your child should drink a lot of liquids, but should eat only if he wants to eat. Give acetaminophen for fever or pain. Bed rest is not necessary, but the child should avoid strenuous physical activities while fever is present. Nose drops or oral decongestants and a nasal aspirator may be used to relieve nasal stuffiness and discharge. (Unless instructed to do so by your doctor, do not use nose drops for more than two or three days. Also, because of the risk of contamination, never use the same bottle of nose drops for more than one person or for more than one week at a time.) Cough medicines may ease a severe cough. Remember, however, that overuse of any of these medications can cause more harm than good. Chest rubs and vitamin С treatments have not been proved helpful. A humidifier or vaporizer may make breathing easier. Be sure to keep it meticulously clean, however. Otherwise, it can actually be a source of infection if microorganisms are allowed to grow in it. Isolate the child from others, particularly from infants and the elderly. PRECAUTIONS • The following symptoms do not usually occur with a common cold and may be signs of another illness: fever lasting more than two to three days; puslike discharge from the eyes, nose, or ears; large, red, tender lymph nodes in the neck: breathing difficulties; chest pain: severe headache; stiff neck; vomiting; chills accompanied by shaking: prostration (collapse). If any of these symptoms occurs, call your doctor. • Some viruses that cause common colds stay in the body for one to two weeks, so the child remains contagious for the entire time of the cold. • Infants should not be exposed to anyone with a cold, even a mild cold. Infants are not protected against the common cold by the mother's antibodies; young infants can become seriously ill from these viruses. MEDICAL TREATMENT Your doctor will perform a physical examination to check for signs of other illnesses and for signs of complications. The doctor sometimes will order blood tests and a throat culture. RELATED TOPICS: Bronchiolitis; Bronchitis; Chest pain: Coughs; Croup; Earaches; Encephalitis; Fever; Glands, swollen; Headaches: Laryngitis: Pneumonia; Shortness of breath; Sinusitis; Viral infections; Vomiting Quick Reference Concussion SYMPTOMS • Unconsciousness at the instant of injury • No memory of the accident • No memory of events before the accident • Confusion • Persistent vomiting • Inability to walk • Eyes not parallel • Pupils of different sizes • Pupils that do not become smaller when a bright light is shined in the eyes • Blood coming from the ear • Bloody fluid that does not clot coming from the nose • Increasingly severe headache • Stiff neck • Increasing drowsiness • Slow pulse • Abnormal breathing If there is a head injury with no sign of concussion, or while you are waiting to see the doctor, have the child rest quietly in bed with his head on a pillow. erythema