Original Article:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-medicines/CC00083Cold medicines for kids: What's the risk?
Jay Hoecker, M.D.
The common cold is a nuisance, but over-the-counter cough and cold medicines can help your child feel better — right? Think again. Cough and cold medicines aren't recommended for children, especially those younger than age 2. So what's the best way to treat a child's cold? Here's practical advice from Jay Hoecker, M.D., a pediatrics specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
What's the concern about cough and cold medicines for kids?Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines won't cure a common cold or make it go away any sooner. In fact, cough and cold medicines haven't been proved effective for children. And there are serious risks to consider. For example, the sedating effects of antihistamines can be dangerous for kids already having trouble breathing. For young children, an accidental overdose of cough or cold medicine could be fatal.
What if cough and cold medicines seemed to work for my child in the past?
Chances are, your child's signs and symptoms simply improved on their own — or the sedating effects of the medication made you think that your child was feeling better. Low-grade fevers don't need treatment, and research shows that cough and cold medicines for kids are no more effective than a placebo.
Are cough and cold medicines a problem for teenagers, too?Teenagers aren't as likely to experience side effects from cough and cold medicines as are younger children. Some cough and cold medicines may make teens sleepy, however, while others may have the opposite effect. Even then, remember that cough and cold medicines can't make a cold go away any sooner.
What about antibiotics?
Colds are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won't help. And the more your child uses antibiotics, the more likely he or she is to get sick with an antibiotic-resistant infection in the future.
Can any medications help treat the common cold?
An over-the-counter pain reliever — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, others) — can reduce a fever and ease the pain of a sore throat or headache. Remember, however, low-grade fevers don't need treatment. If you give your child a pain reliever, follow the dosing guidelines carefully.
Don't give ibuprofen to a child younger than age 6 months, and don't give aspirin to anyone age 18 or younger. Aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal illness.
Also treat herbal or alternative remedies for the common cold with a dose of caution. Few studies have been done on the effect these products may have on children. If you want to give your child an herbal or alternative remedy, consult your child's doctor first.
How can I help my child feel better?
There's no cure for the common cold, but you can help your child feel better while he or she is toughing it out.
- Offer plenty of fluids. Liquids can help loosen the congestion, and coughing can help clear the mucus from your child's airway. Offer water or juice. Serve chicken soup for dinner.
- Encourage rest. Consider keeping your child home from school and other activities if he or she has a fever or bad cough.
- Moisten the air. Run a humidifier in your child's room to help soothe irritated nasal passages. Aim the mist away from your child's bed to keep the bedding from becoming damp. To prevent mold growth, change the water daily and follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning the unit. Steam from a hot shower may help, too.
- Try saline drops. Saline nose drops can loosen thick nasal mucus and make it easier for your child to breathe. Look for these over-the-counter drops in any pharmacy.
Soothe a sore throat. For older children, gargling salt water or sucking on hard candy or cough drops may soothe a sore throat.
When should I call the doctor?
Most colds simply need to run their course. It's important to take your child's signs and symptoms seriously, however. If you have a baby who's younger than age 3 months, call the doctor at the first sign of illness. For newborns, a common cold can quickly develop into croup, pneumonia or another serious illness.
Otherwise, call the doctor if your child:
Isn't urinating as often as usual
Has a temperature higher than 103 F for one day
Has a temperature higher than 100 F for more than three days
Seems to have ear or sinus pain e
Has yellow eye discharge
Has a cough for longer than one week
Has thick, green nasal discharge for longer than two weeks
Seek medical help immediately if your child:
Refuses to accept fluids
Coughs hard enough to cause vomiting or changes in skin color
Coughs up blood-tinged sputum
Has difficulty breathing or is bluish around the lips and mouth
What's the best way to prevent the common cold?The common cold typically spreads through infected respiratory droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. The best defense is plenty of soap and water.
- Keep it clean. Teach your kids to wash their hands thoroughly and often. When soap and water aren't available, provide hand wipes or gels that contain germ-killing alcohol. Keep toys and common household surfaces clean, too.
- Cover up. Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue — and then toss it. If you can't reach a tissue in time, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.
Don't share. Avoid sharing utensils, drinking glasses, washcloths, towels and other items that may harbor germs. To prevent confusion, you might want to specifically mark these items for each member of the family. - Avoid anyone who's sick. This is especially important during the first few days of a viral illness, when the person who's sick may be most contagious.
For parents and children alike, simple preventive measures can go a long way toward preventing the common cold.
