As a tropical country that only has two seasons, the common cold is a common disease for Indonesians.
Especially during the transition from the dry season to the rainy season or vice versa.
Erratic weather and humid air causes a decrease in the body’s immune system.
We become susceptible to disease, especially infants and toddlers whose immune systems are still in the development stage.
In children, the symptoms of coughs, colds and allergies have many similarities. Both start with a fever, weakened body condition, to coughing or sneezing.
In fact, the common cold and allergies require different handling. Allergies that are allowed to drag on will damage the immune system.
The body becomes more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. This decreased immunity has the opportunity to increase the risk of infection.
Reporting from whattoexpect.com, the following Thevolume.net has summarized the difference between the common cold and allergies.
1. Check the color of the slime
When your little one has a cold cough, mucus will come out of the mouth or nose.
Pay attention to the texture, if it’s thick and even lumpy, it’s a sign of a common cold.
For the color of mucus that is cloudy white to yellowish is a sign of strep throat.
While mucus tends to be liquid and clear, if it continues to come out it can indicate an allergy.
2. Recognize the type of cough
Coughs are categorized into two types, wet and dry.
A wet cough is characterized by the appearance of mucus, while a dry cough is more painful in the throat and can cause shortness of breath.
This dry cough is more likely to lead to allergies.
3. Check the condition of your little one’s eyes
When stricken with disease, physical changes that are easily observed are the eyes.
The eyes of sick people usually dim, so they look lethargic and not sparkling.
Some even get watery and change color, appear a little reddish or yellowish tinge.
If the changes in the eyes are getting worse, it is necessary to watch out for allergies.
4. Is it accompanied by fever?
Fever is a sign of inflammation in the body.
When you catch a common cold, the fever only occurs for the first 1-2 days and then subsides.
However, if it persists for a long time, there are some serious illnesses to watch out for.
Such as typhoid, dengue fever, to allergies.
5. Count the length of illness
In common cold cough, severe symptoms only occur in 2-3 days. Once given the medicine as recommended by the doctor, the fever begins to fall and the body gradually improves.
While allergies require further observation to detect the type and cause.
On average, babies under 1 year old are still safe from allergies because they still spend a lot of time at home, are minimally exposed to foreign objects, and are not familiar with many variations of food.
For Mama who is dealing with the little one’s cough and cold, get to know more about the signs so that Mama doesn’t give her the wrong medicine. Find out how to deal with a cold cough after knowing the cause.
