Teething can mimic cold symptoms, but signs such as drooling and visible teeth can help differentiate. A low-grade fever may occur during teething, but high or persistent fevers require medical attention. Diarrhea may also occur, but severe cases should be evaluated by a doctor. Treatment plans differ for teething and colds, with pain relievers and frozen teething toys being effective for teething, while rest, fluids, and medication are better for colds.
Teething is a common occurrence in infancy. Teething marks can mimic the symptoms of an illness, making it difficult to tell the difference between teething and a cold. An infant or child who cuts a tooth often experiences a slight increase in temperature, runny nose and headache. These symptoms can also appear during a cold, so you need to look for other signs that your child is teething, such as drooling or a visible tooth just below the gum surface. Your child may also chew or bite excessively, as the added pressure on the gums can help ease the pain of cutting a tooth.
Parents often report a rise in temperature when a child is teething and has a cold. Although many doctors and healthcare professionals disagree that teething causes a rise in temperature, a number of parents report that a low-grade fever is typical when their children are cutting teeth. A fever that is high, or that persists for several days, is not usually due to teething. If your child is experiencing a sudden or drastic change in temperature, it’s best to contact a healthcare professional for advice.
You can often tell the difference between teething and a cold by looking at your baby’s respiratory symptoms. Although teething can cause a mild runny nose, a baby with thick, green or yellow discharge is likely suffering from a viral illness or bacterial infection. Teething can also cause a mild cough, but frequent, severe, or persistent coughing indicates that the baby is ill. When your child exhibits common symptoms during both teething and a cold, you can assess the severity of the symptoms to determine the best course of action.
Many parents observe that their children get diarrhea when they cut their teeth. It is possible that swallowing excess saliva can cause loose stools in some children. However, severe diarrhea should be evaluated by a doctor. Vomiting and diarrhea are more likely to be signs of an illness or infection than symptoms of teething.
Treatment plans are usually different for teething and colds. If your child is teething, they may benefit from a pain reliever or topical numbing gel. You can also briefly place teething toys or a towel in the freezer before giving them to your baby. The cool temperature can be soothing for painful or inflamed gums. If symptoms indicate that your child does indeed have a cold, treatments such as rest, fluids, a humidifier, and prescription cold medications will be more effective in putting them at ease.
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