Cough and Cold - Home Suggestions
Remember, there is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics will not shorten the cold or cure it.
You can, however, help your child to feel better by following these suggestions:
1. If your child has a fever see the FEVER section on pages 3-6.
2. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) to control fever and relieve discomfort. ASA (Aspirin and others) should not be given to anyone under 20 years of age with a viral illness.
3. For a runny nose: If your child is able, encourage him/her to blow his nose. Dont discourage sniffling. Its actually a good way to clear the nose. It does not push infection into the ears or sinuses. For very young children who cannot blow and clear their nose themselves, use a rubber bulb to gently suction out mucus. Using a saline nasal spray, purchased from your pharmacy/store, can help dry the nose. Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for children. They may cause problems.
4. For a plugged nose: While your child is lying on his/her back, drip 3 drops of warm tap water in each nostril. After 1 minute, have the child blow his/her nose or use the bulb suction as described above. Repeat as often as necessary.
5. Oral decongestant medication or combination medications, like Dimetapp, can help dry up a runny nose and improve sleep. However, do not use decongestant medications where there is severe heart disease, poorly controlled
high blood pressure, or severe asthma. Antihistamines are not recommended for children under 2 years.
6. Cough syrups with DM (dextromethorphan) may be helpful for a dry cough if getting to sleep or concentrating at school is a problem. You dont want to suppress a wet or loose cough because this type of cough is clearing the mucus from the chest. DM should not be given to a child if he/she is having breathing problems (e.g. asthma or croup). Do not give DM to children under 1 year.
7. Sipping warm drinks can help loosen a cough. Warm water with sugar or warm juice such as lemonade or even chicken soup are good examples.
8. A lozenge/cough drop (halls) may help a sore and dry throat if the child is old enough to have a hard candy. These come in many flavours and varieties. Use one that your child likes. Expensive lozenges/cough drops (Halls)s are not necessary.
Hard candies of any kind work well.
9. Do not expose your child to cigarette smoke.
10. Your child should not exercise or play hard, but should get plenty of rest. Make sure she/he drinks extra fluids. Use a cool mist humidifier in your home if you have one.
11. Do not stop breast feeding. Feed your child smaller portions more often if necessary.
12. Frequent hand washing can decrease the spread of infection.
After attempting thesetreatments, please continue this process with the question below.
Has there been a fever (greater than 37.5C or 99.5F) for more than 3 days?
or
Is there poor intake of fluids?
or
Is the child coughing up green coloured mucous/sputum?
