Kids and colds
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- February
- 14
There probably isn’t a child in the world who has made it through the winter without a cold or cough.
We’ve all heard a lot this winter about the dangers of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. So what are we supposed to do when our kids get sick?
The “American College of Emergency Physicians”:http://www.acep.org. has some advice.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for children over 6 months can help make kids more comfortable. It’s also important to keep the child warm, comfortable and hydrated, according to the group.
Some other ideas:
• Use steam from a bath, shower or a humidifier to loosen mucus and clear up clogged nasal passages.
• Keep the head elevated above the heart to decrease congestion and aid with sinus drainage. For best results, place an extra pillow under the head or under the mattress.
• Squirt saline (either a homemade or OTC preparation) into the nose to keep nasal passages irrigated.
• Apply cold or hot compresses to congested sinus areas.
• Dispense sore-throat lozenges, which help stimulate antibody-rich saliva and relieve sore, scratchy throats. (Children under age 3 should not be given cough drops because of the possibility of choking.)
• Gargle using a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, or a mixture of one teaspoon of honey (for children over age 2), one tablespoon of lemon and two cups of hot water, cooled to room temperature.
• Getting lots of sleep and relaxation is the best way to help the immune system fight off nasty invaders. And staying home when sick prevents viruses from spreading.
• Prevent the spread of germs to others through frequent hand washing and disinfection of surfaces, and by sneezing or coughing into tissues or the crook of one’s arm at the elbow.
• Dab mentholated ointment (containing menthol, eucalyptus and camphor) around the base of the nose to help open up clogged nasal passages and soothe raw, red nostrils.
• Avoid air travel. The changes in air pressure during takeoff and landing can cause a broken eardrum, especially in babies. If flying is a must, administering saline to the nose, chewing gum (if the child is old enough) and drinking a beverage prior to reaching cabin pressurization (at 10,000 ft.) can help.
• Get vaccinated against influenza.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm by Jane Lerner.
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