Cold & Flu Symptoms in Children

Causes of cold and flu symptoms in children

Sometimes it might seem like your kids are always bringing home colds and the flu – in fact children tend to have 7-10 colds each year! In comparison, adults have 2-5 a year.¹ This seems unfair, and quite frankly, it kind of is, as you are also affected when your child is miserable from a cold or flu. So, what’s the deal with why kids catch colds and the flu so much more often than adults?

Part of the reason is age. Very young children have shiny new immune systems that haven’t encountered the viruses that cause colds and flus, so their resistance is lower than in most adults. In addition, these viruses can easily spread when children are around other children – so at playgroup, kindergarten or school. It might even seem like your child is constantly ill, which could be because they can catch a brand-new virus shortly after recovering from a different one.^1,2,3

Advice for preventing cold and flu symptoms in kids

Sadly, your kid catching a cold or the flu is as inevitable as ageing. But there are some easy things you can do and teach them to help reduce their chances of bringing a virus home for a visit.

• Washing your hands is key, teach your child to always wash their hands frequently with warm soapy water and after sneezing, coughing, blowing their nose and before eating
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue instead of your hands
• Don’t share drink bottles, cups or eating utensils with anyone who has a cold
• If your child has a cold or the flu, keep them at home so they don’t spread the virus to other kids or adults^3,4

Cold and flu relief for children

Because there is no cure for a cold or the flu, you need to find other ways to help your little one ride out the symptoms. Let’s break down your options by age group.

• Babies:
  Give them lots of cuddles and reassurance, try smaller and more frequent feeds and extra sleeps. If you’re breastfeeding and your baby is under 6 months you can offer extra breastfeeds but if you are formula feeding, stick to the usual amount of formula. Speak to your healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
• Young children:
  Like babies, children need lots of rest, warmth, nourishing foods and plenty of fluids. They don’t need to stay in bed, but let them decide how active they want to be.^4,5

Demazin^® has a range of products designed to provide children as young as 2 years old with relief from the symptoms of colds and the flu. Made with ingredients to help support immunity and with symptoms like congestion and a runny nose.

Frequently asked questions about colds and the flu in children

References:

1. Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. Suitable for 0-18 years Influenza. Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. May 2019. Available from: https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/influenza
2. Eccles R. Lancet Infect Dis 2005;5:718-725.
3. Health Direct. Colds and flu in babies and children [Internet]. Australian Government Department of Health, April 2019. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/colds-and-flu-in-babies-and-children
4. Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Viral Illnesses [Internet]. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, July 2020. Available from: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Viral_illnesses/
5. Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. Suitable for 0-18 years. Colds in babies, children and teenagers. September 2019. Available from: https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/colds

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