How Long a Cold Should Last in Children

Cold Duration in Kids: What Ontario Parents Need to Know

Watching your child sniffle and cough for days can feel endless, but most colds in kids last 7 to 10 days. Some symptoms like a lingering cough might stick around for up to 3 weeks, and that's completely normal.

What's going on?

Colds are viral infections that affect your child's nose, throat, and sometimes their chest. Kids get sick more often than adults because their immune systems are still learning to fight off germs. In fact, it's normal for children to catch 6 to 12 colds per year.

The typical cold follows a predictable pattern. Days 1 to 3 are usually the worst, with fever, fatigue, and that miserable stuffy nose. Days 4 to 7 bring improvement, though the runny nose and cough often continue. By day 10, most kids feel much better, even if they're still coughing a bit.

Young children and toddlers might take a little longer to bounce back, sometimes up to 2 weeks. Their smaller airways get more congested, and they haven't learned to blow their noses effectively yet.

What you might notice

- Runny or stuffy nose (clear, yellow, or green mucus)

- Cough that may worsen at night

- Low grade fever (usually under 39°C)

- Sore throat or scratchy voice

- Decreased appetite

- Extra fussiness or clinginess

- Mild headache or body aches

What helps at home

Rest is your child's best medicine right now. Let them sleep as much as they need, even if it means extra naps or sleeping in.

Keep them hydrated with water, warm broth, or their usual milk. Honey can soothe coughs in children over 12 months old. A humidifier in their room helps loosen mucus, or you can sit with them in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes.

For comfort, try saline nose drops to clear stuffiness. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with fever and aches, but always follow the dosing instructions for your child's age and weight.

When to worry

Head to the emergency room if your child has trouble breathing, seems extremely lethargic, has a high fever that won't come down with medication, or shows signs of dehydration like no wet diapers or tears when crying.

Call your family doctor or text Arlo if the cold lasts longer than 2 weeks, if your child develops ear pain, or if they seem to be getting worse instead of better after a few days. Also reach out if you're concerned about their eating, sleeping, or general behavior.

The takeaway

Two weeks can feel like forever when your little one is under the weather, but their body is doing exactly what it should to fight off the virus. You've got this.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References

- [Common Cold](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions/common_cold) - Caring for Kids (Canadian Paediatric Society)

- [The Common Cold](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=12&language=english) - AboutKidsHealth (SickKids)

- [Colds and Your Child](https://www.ontario.ca/page/colds-and-your-child) - Ontario.ca