African Parents, Can You Tell If Your Baby Has Common Cold or Chest Infection?

 

By Ibironke Taiwo. Freelance Writer, with medical review and editorial support by The DLHA Team.

 

 

INTRODUCTION 

 

It may be quite difficult on occasions for mothers to differentiate between chest infection and common cold in their babies as a result of some similarities in their symptoms. And this could cause mistreatment or delay in treatment which could eventually lead to complications.

 

Therefore mothers need to be aware of the key differences, as this could help them determine the appropriate course of action

 

Keep reading to find out the signs and symptoms that aids you to distinguish between a common cold and chest infection in your African baby. Learn about the home care tips for relieving your baby of these symptoms, and how to prevent against re-occurrence

 

 

Overview of Common Cold And Chest Infection 
 

• Common cold

 

The common cold is an illness majorly caused by a rhinovirus, the most common viral infectious agent for the common cold in humans. The common cold is quite rampant among babies globally because their immunity or defense mechanism has not been fully built against the different cold viruses around them. As a result of this babies experience about 6 - 8 colds per year compared to adults who experience about 2 - 4 per year.

 

The common cold is a very contagious illness and can be easily spread from one infected person to another. Among other modes of transmission, your baby can catch the common cold through contact with the droplets of an infected person that are coughed or sneezed into the air and from objects or surfaces.

 

In the United States for example, cold is the cause of the highest number of visits to the hospital than any other condition. The occurrence of colds in babies last for about 10 - 14 days. In most cases common colds usually go away on their own. If symptoms persist in your baby after 14 days, you should consult a doctor as there might be complications or underlying illness.
 

• Chest infection

 

Chest infection is an infection of the lungs and the smaller air sacs or larger airways. It occurs as a result of the build-up of pus and fluid in the airways, making the airways swollen and difficult to breathe. Although the symptoms of chest infection can be quite unpleasant in babies, they get better in about 7 to 10 days.

 

Chest infection is usually caused by a virus or bacteria depending on the type of infection that affects the baby. Your baby can contract either viral or bacterial infection by inhaling the respiratory droplets of an infected person when they cough or sneeze. Major types of chest infections are bronchitis and pneumonia.
 

• Pneumonia

 

Pneumonia occurs as a result of the inflammation of one or both of the lungs which could be caused by bacteria (Streptococcus pneumonia), viruses (Influenza virus or rhinovirus), or fungi ( pneumonia jiroveci).

 

The occurrence of pneumonia ranges from mild to severe depending on the age, health status, and the cause of the infection. It is important to note that children under the age of 2 are at greater risk of having pneumonia.
 

• Bronchitis

 

Bronchitis is an inflammation of your baby's bronchial tube, a tube that carries air to the lungs. It could be acute with symptoms lasting for a few weeks or chronic which doesn't go away easily. It is caused by breathing in polluted air, or toxic substances like chemical fumes or dust. It can also be caused by being an active smoker or secondhand smoker which could be the case in babies.

 

As a mother, you must have an understanding of chest infection as this helps you to know its signs and symptoms. A lack of knowledge of chest infection in a mother can cause delayed treatment, which in turn could be life-threatening for your baby.

 

 

Signs and Symptoms Of Common Cold And Chest Infection 

 

Some signs and symptoms are similar to both the common cold and chest infection, especially bronchitis which is an occurrence of cough, fever, and fatigue. Both illnesses could seem to pose difficulty in knowing the one your baby has. But do not worry, you will learn the facts about their differences here,

 

Usual Signs And Symptoms Of Common Cold 

• Nasal congestion 
• Stuffy and running nose 
• Sneezing 
• Sore throat 
• Dry cough
• General weakness

 

Usual Signs And Symptoms Of Chest Infection 

• Productive cough (i.e. cough with yellowish-green mucous]
• Chest pain 
• Shallow breathing 
• Rapid heartbeat 
• Wheezing 
• Shortness of breath 
• Fever (Moderate to high)
• Headache
• Fatigue and
• Aching muscles

 

 

How To Tell The Difference Between Common Cold And Chest Infection In Babies? 

 

Although cough is a common symptom between the two conditions, there are still some key differences that can help you determine the one your child has.

 

For example,  

• The cough from a chest infection would usually be accompanied with phlegm (thick mucus) which could be green or yellow. The cough of the common cold is usually accompanied by a clear runny nose unless the cold is complicated by a bacterial infection. 

• Chest infection occurs in the lower respiratory tract (i.e., the windpipe or trachea, bronchial tubes and lungs) while the common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract (i.e. nose, sinuses and back of mouth and throat). 

• The pain of chest infection is felt in the lungs while that of the common cold is felt in the nose and sinus area.

 

 

Best Care For Babies Experiencing Common Cold And Chest Infection 

 

In providing the best care for babies experiencing chest infections, your healthcare provider would first make efforts to provide supportive care while trying to identify whether the causative agent of the infection is a virus or bacteria? This is done by carrying out some test. 

 

A determination of the causative agent enables your provider to know the best course of action to take.

 

In the case of viral infection, the care focuses on easing your baby's symptoms until they begin to get better while in bacteria infection, oral antibiotics could be given in mild cases. In severe cases, tailored antibiotics would usually be given to you baby by intramuscular injection or or into a blood vessel in a hospital.

 

You should also ensure that the dosage of medication prescribed for your baby is completed even when they begin to feel better. This is to prevent antibiotic resistance and frequent infection.

 

 

Home Care Tips For Common Cold And Chest Infection 

 

Home care tips help to relieve symptoms associated with a chest infection and common cold, such as cough, sore throat and mild fever. These nclude: 

• Ensure your baby gets enough rest.

• Encourage your baby to drink lots of fluids, this helps to keep them hydrated and loosen mucus

• Give your baby a warm bath or shower, to moisturize their nasal passage and help them relax 

• Use a humidifier to relieve cough.

 

 

How To Prevent Your Baby From Experiencing The Common Cold And Chest Infection? 

 

As much as this may sound funny, the best gift you can give to your baby is to ensure they receive all the recommended vaccinations as this protects them against preventable diseases including respiratory infections.

 

Other ways of preventing your baby from experiencing common cold and chest infection include: 

• Regular hand washing: This is very helpful in curbing the spread of germs, therefore you should ensure you wash your hands and that of your baby frequently.

• Minimise contact with ill individuals. Do not expose your baby to those who are sick. When you or your partner are sick, ensure you prevent your baby from getting Infected by wearing a face mask and practicing good hygiene.

• Help your baby to develop a strong immune system and promoting a healthy lifestyle by:
  • practicing exclusive breastfeeding

• maintaining a clean and safe environment

• providing timely care during illness, and 

• getting your baby Immunized 

 

 

When To Consult Your Healthcare Professional

 

You should see a doctor when your baby's symptoms last for more than 3 weeks even after several interventions to relieve the symptoms. Ensure you also see a doctor if your baby is coughing up blood and when their symptoms worsen, for example, a fever that approaches or is higher than 104^oF (40^oC) or do not improve.

 

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, it is possible to determine whether your baby has a chest infection or the common cold, although it can be a bit challenging as the two illnesses share similar symptoms. But certain symptoms distinguish chest infections from common colds.

For instance common cold exhibits mild symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, etc., while chest infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia exhibit severe symptoms like a high fever,  difficulty with breathing, etc 

To prevent your baby from experiencing the common cold or chest infection you must get them vaccinated and practice good personal hygiene all the time.

 

 

Sources::
 

1. Ferdous F, Dil Farzana F, Ahmed S, Das SK, Malek MA, Das J, Faruque AS, Chisti MJ. Mothers' perception and healthcare seeking behavior of pneumonia children in rural Bangladesh. ISRN Family Med. 2014 Feb 23;2014:690315. doi: 10.1155/2014/690315.

2. Healthline. Symptoms and Home Remedies of Chest Infection. Last reviewed March 29, 2019. Accessed November 27, 2023.

3. National Heart, Lungs and Blood Institute, USA. What is Pneumonia? Last updated March 24, 2022. Accessed November 27, 2023.

4. Hopkins Medicine. The Do’s and Don'ts of easing cold symptoms. [Internet. n.d.] Accessed November 28, 2023.

 

 

Related:

Common Cold in Babies: What African Parents Should Know

 

 

Published: November 30, 2023

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