Children and over-the-counter cold medicines
don’t mix. In some cases, such medicines can cause convulsions, rapid
heart rates, decreased levels of consciousness and even death.
In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health
Advisory strongly recommending that parents and caregivers not give
children nonprescription cough and cold products.
The advisory pertains to infants and children
under 2 years old, but some doctors recommend that children under age 6
and even children 6 to 11 years old not be given OTC cough and cold
medicines.
Rest, fluids and TLC are the safest ways to help comfort children who have
symptoms of the common cold.
“Most of what parents need to treat their child’s cold they can easily do
at home,” says Dr. Kirsten Sampera, a physician with the Youth Clinic in
Fort Collins.
Early symptoms can vary from one person to the next but generally include
any or all of the following: sneezing, a tickly or sore throat, and a
runny or stuffy nose. “Treat these immediately with good hydration,
healthy nutrition and adequate rest,” advises Sampera. “If the child has a
fever or feels uncomfortable, I recommend using Tylenol or Motrin.”
Colorado’s dry air can lower resistance to viral infections, such as
colds, and worsen coughs and sore throats. Putting a humidifier in the
room with the sick child, even if the home already has a whole-house
humidifier, will increase moisture in the air. (Be sure to keep
humidifiers clean.) Using saline drops or spray to keep nasal passages
moist may help move
secretions along.
Sampera also encourages giving children a mixture of lemon juice and honey
to quiet coughs and soothe sore throat pain. Serve the mixture straight or
diluted in warm water or an herbal tea.
Parents can help children ward off colds and
prevent the spread of germs by teaching them good hygiene practices. These
include washing hands thoroughly and frequently and coughing and sneezing
into a shirt sleeve. Avoiding exposure to others who are sick and avoiding
secondhand smoke are also important measures for keeping children healthy.
While schools and child-care centers will have
their own requirements about when a child with a cold can return, Sampera
says that, generally, if there’s no fever the child is okay going back to
school or child care.
“For the general population, colds are common and relatively benign and
just need to run their normal course of seven to 10 days,” says Sampera.
“The human body is a pretty miraculous thing. It generally heals itself,
if we don’t interfere too much.” |
| Relief for Kids with Colds
Ways to ease cold symptoms:
Relieve congestion
- Create steam by turning on a
hot shower
- Give the child a warm bath
Promote sleep
- Provide a gentle massage
- Play relaxing music
Soothe symptoms
- Mix a teaspoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon in a cup of
boiling water or herbal tea, and serve when cool enough to sip
- Serve chicken soup
When to contact a doctor:
- If the child develops worsening
symptoms
- If the child has a complex
medical condition, such as a heart condition or a compromised immune
system, or is undergoing chemotherapy
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