Q&A:
Should I worry that my 14-month-old's cold symptoms have lasted for more than 4 months?

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Answered by Loraine Stern M.D.

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"I adore children and being a pediatrician because of all the hugging and laughing that we do," say Loraine Stern, M.D.

Loraine Stern, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics at U.C.L.A., has been in private pediatric practice for 35 years. Dr. Stern wrote for Woman's Day magazine from 1986 to 2005. She is a former editor of and contributor to Healthy Kids magazine. She has published two books on child care and has edited a book about pediatric nutrition for the American Academy of Pediatrics. A spokesperson for children and families, Dr. Stern has appeared on national networks and programs such as CNN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America.

Dr. Stern has two stepchildren but no animals or even green plants.

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Question

Should I worry that my 14-month-old's cold symptoms have lasted for more than 4 months?

Answer

What exactly are the cold symptoms? An almost constantly running nose in a child who is cared for at a group child care facility is not uncommon because he may be dealing with a series of colds every couple of weeks. Just as one subsides, the next one starts. He does not have to be in full-time day careeven weekly mom and tot groups are enough to expose him. Clear mucus can alternate with some that's yellow or green but in the absence of fever, poor eating, or other signs of illness, your pediatricians are correct. In fact, one of the rules I tell parents to pay attention to is whether symptoms like this bother the child or just bother the parents.

On the other hand, a cough that persists, especially if it keeps him up at night (and you, too, of course), can be a sign of allergies and asthma. Is there a history of asthma in close relatives? Do you or the other parent suffer from hay fever? Is your toddler rubbing his nose or eyes along with the cold symptoms? This may be a sign of allergies as well. Is your child exposed to tobacco smoke, a new animal in the home or day care, or construction or remodeling? These irritants can contribute to respiratory symptoms. Have the cold symptoms led to ear infections? If not, ride it out.

Unfortunately, cold medicines in children this age do not control symptoms very well. Saline (salt water) nose drops used three or four times a day can help to thin mucus, wash some of it down and away from the sinus openings, and help make him more comfortable. If he starts to seem out of sorts, if green or yellow mucus continues for more than 10 days, if he runs a fever, or if he acts as though he's in pain, see your health care provider to rule out a sinus infection.