Colds in Children 

A cold is caused by viruses that infect your nose and throat. It causes congestion, sneezing, coughing, and sometimes a mild fever, and will typically run its course within a week to ten days without needing prescription medication. Children tend to catch several colds a year, particularly younger children who are still developing their immune system from playing with other children.

In Alaska, our pediatric team most often sees colds caused by:

Rhinovirus, the most common cause of colds in children

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially in infants and toddlers

Parainfluenza virus

Seasonal coronaviruses (not the virus that causes COVID-19)

Adenovirus

Cold symptoms most often show up gradually, starting with a scratchy throat or sneezing before congestion and cough settle in for a few days.

Cold Symptoms In Kids

Cold symptoms in kids can look different depending on age, and recognizing the pattern helps you know what to expect over the coming days.

Infants and toddlers may have:

• A stuffy nose that makes feeding or sleeping harder than usual

• Fussiness or clinginess

• A mild fever

• Waking more often at night because of congestion

School-age children, preteens, and teens may have:

• A sore throat that comes on before congestion sets in

• A cough that lingers after other symptoms fade

• Mild body aches or headache

• Low energy and less interest in normal activities

How to Treat a Cold in Children

How to treat a cold in children starts with supportive care, since colds are viral and antibiotics will not help them. After examining your child, our pediatric providers may recommend:

• Extra fluids and rest to help the body recover

• Saline drops or a bulb syringe to clear a stuffy nose in infants

• Age-appropriate fever or pain relief for older kids, based on our team's guidance

• A cool-mist humidifier to ease congestion and coughing overnight

• Honey for children over one year old to help calm a nighttime cough

Most colds improve on their own within seven to ten days. If symptoms are dragging on longer than that or seem to be getting worse instead of better, it's worth having your child looked at.

When to Visit a Children's Urgent Care for Colds in Anchorage

Having urgent care for allergic reactions in Anchorage is one of the greatest resources families have when determining what level of care is appropriate for their child’s allergic reaction, as not every reaction requires calling 911.

Many childhood colds can be evaluated through a telemedicine visit at our urgent care for colds in Anchorage, with a board-certified pediatric team. During a video visit, our providers can review your child's symptoms, ask about fever, feeding, and hydration, and often recommend a treatment plan without a trip to the clinic. This works well for typical congestion, cough, and low-grade fever that are not accompanied by breathing trouble or signs of dehydration.

Telemedicine visits are recommended when:

• You want a provider to review your child's symptoms and confirm they look like a typical cold

• Your child has congestion, a mild cough, or a low fever without breathing difficulty

• You need guidance on comfort care, fluids, or over-the-counter options

• You live in a rural or remote part of Alaska and cannot easily reach our clinic in Anchorage

In-person visits are recommended when:

• A provider needs to listen to your child's chest or check their ears and throat directly

• Symptoms have lasted longer than ten days without improving

• A fever is high or persistent, or your child is showing signs of dehydration

• Breathing looks labored, rapid, or noisy

Our providers can determine on video whether your child needs to come in, so you never have to guess. Telemedicine visits are available statewide, from Anchorage to the smallest rural communities across Alaska, with providers available daily from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Why Choose Alaska Children's Urgent Care and Outreach in Anchorage? 

Treatment at our urgent care is entirely child-friendly. Our pediatric team knows how to talk to children and offers:

• Same-day appointments

• Providers who specialize in pediatrics

• Telemedicine access from anywhere in Alaska

• A calm, family-centered environment

Every child is valued, and every visit is designed to support both the child and the parent.

If your child has a cold that is not improving the way you'd expect, do not wait to have it looked at. Visit us at our Anchorage location, or book a video visit online to have your child seen today.

Not sure if it's a cold or something more? Visit our colds and flu page to compare symptoms side by side. Learn more about when telemedicine works for common childhood illnesses or read about other infections we treat at Alaska Children's Urgent Care and Outreach.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions