We’ve had a very wet summer and early autumn and now a cold snap has plunged us into an early winter, so we’re forecasting lots of colds and sniffles earlier than usual this year. We look at a few tips, myths and rules on child care and colds.

According to the Children’s Youth and Women’s Health Service, children get around 6-10 colds per year (really? seems like 100!), with the highest number usually being during the first two years in child care, kindergarten or school. It can seem like children have one cold after another and studies have shown that children in child care will most likely develop more colds than those who are at home. A fact of life, sadly.

Small children are more affected by these sorts of viruses, because they rely on breathing through their nose much more than adults. So it’s no surprise each cold at its peak will be fairly miserable for all concerned.

Colds often start with a high temperature (though it shouldn’t really be that high or last more than a couple of days), drowsiness, difficulty in breathing, irritability At this point it’s definitely the best thing to keep the little one at home, because he or she would simply be miserable in child care and colds are more infectious in the first few days.

Are Snotty Noses More Infectious?
Certainly many child care centres now adopt a policy of “snotty nose, child stays home” and would have you believe they are desperately infectious with this According to pretty much every GP ever asked the question (and they get asked very frequently): Generally speaking snotty noses for up to a week is a natural part of the common cold and does not mean your child has a bacterial infection. It simply means his or her body is fighting the cold. Green snot is of course unpleasant for the sufferer and carer to deal with, but it’s no more infectious than any other part of their cold.

Should Colds Be Treated With Antibiotics?
Colds are viruses. There is really no cure. They sort themselves out in a week or so and can be relieved, but not cured. Dr Nick Carr’s Myth Busting investigation for George Negus on the ABC revealed many parents often ask if snotty noses means their kids should be on antibiotics.

Dr Rick Jarman said that it’s widely thought that over 90 per cent of colds are caused by viruses and therefore antibiotics aren't necessary. However, most colds only last a week or two, but a small proportion of kids may have a persistent runny nose with snotty noses that drags on for several weeks. This may have sinusitis associated with it or could have become a bacterial infection and antibiotics may be useful. But in general, no antibiotics required for colds. And once you start on the antibiotic trail, it’s hard to get off!

The best relief for colds are decongestants, mild antihistamines that reduce nasal congestion, inhalers, nasal sprays and good old paracetamol in syrup form for any headaches or temperatures. For more information on dealing with illness in small children and child care, CareforKids.com.au has a great article - click here

Good Luck. We hope the snotty noses don’t appear too frequently in your household!