The common cold can affect anyone at any time. When your kids have a cold or cough, they may not have an appetite and could become fussier with the types of food they eat.
A cough is a very common problem for children. The most common cause is a respiratory tract infection (resulting from a cold); young children usually have 6-12 respiratory tract infections per year, usually caused by a virus.
As with other types of viral infections, the most important thing is to keep your child well hydrated. Don’t worry too much if they don’t eat as much as normal in the short-term, their appetite should return once they recover from the infection. Encourage small, frequent meals or snacks as well as fluids while their appetite is reduced.
Find out more about the management of coughs in children.