What are the symptoms of a cold in children?

Answered on 11th January 2016

Though every baby and child is different, a cold typically has one or more of these common symptoms:

• Cough

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Sore throat (usually one of the first symptoms)

• Sneezing

• Nasal Pain and irritation

• A hoarse voice

• General sense of feeling unwell

Some less common symptoms include:

• Mild fever (around 38–39°C)

• Headache

• Earache

• Aches and pains

• Red or irritated eyes

• Swollen lymph nodes on underarms, neck and back of the head

• Loss of taste and smell and a feeling of pressure in your ears and face

If you’re unsure if your baby is poorly, look for non-physical symptoms too, such as irritability, being off their food or difficulty sleeping.

Remember that your child may not have all of the symptoms listed here. Cold symptoms are usually worst in the first few days and can last about 10-14 days, however symptoms will improve gradually over time. Younger children and children with a cough can have symptoms that last up to a few weeks.