Coughs, Colds and Serious Illnesses Key Message 1:

A child with a cough or cold should be kept warm and encouraged to eat and drink as much as possible.

Babies and very young children lose their body heat easily. When they have a cough or cold they should be kept covered and warm.

Children with coughs, colds, runny noses or sore throats who are breathing normally can be treated at home and will recover without medicines. They need to be kept warm, but not overheated, and be given plenty to eat and drink. Medication should be used only if prescribed by a health worker.

A child with a fever should be sponged or bathed with cool but not cold water. In areas where malaria is common, the fever could be dangerous. The child should be checked by a health worker immediately.

The nose of a child with a cough or cold should be cleared often, especially before the child eats or goes to sleep. A moist atmosphere can make breathing easier, and it will help if the child breathes water vapour from a bowl of hot but not boiling water.

A breastfed child who has a cough or cold may have difficulty feeding. But breastfeeding helps to fight the illness and is important for the child's growth, so the mother should continue to breastfeed often. If a child cannot suckle, the breastmilk can be expelled into a clean cup and the child can then be fed from the cup.

Children who are not breastfed should be encouraged to eat or drink small amounts frequently. When the illness is over, the child should be given an extra meal every day for at least a week. The child is not fully recovered until he or she is at least the same weight as before the illness.

Coughs and colds spread easily. People with coughs and colds should avoid coughing, sneezing or spitting near children.

Supporting information for key messages: 1   2   3   4   5