Coughs and Colds

UNDERSTANDING THE COMMON COLD

The common cold results from an infection caused by a virus. If your child "catches" a cold, his or her symptoms may include a cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat or bronchitis. Children between the ages of 1 and 5 get more colds than any other age group. Because viruses are not killed by antibiotics, the best treatment is to help your child stay as comfortable as possible by treating his or her symptoms until the cold runs its usual course of about one to two weeks.

EASING YOUR CHILD'S DISCOMFORT

The first step to relieving a cough or a sore throat is to provide your child with extra fluids. Have your child drink more and add moisture to the air with a cool mist humidifier. If the cough is productive (that is, your child is coughing up mucous) and its not too harsh, extra fluids and humidity may be all your child needs. If your child's cough is bothersome and keeps him or her awake at night, your Pharmassist pharmacist can help you choose a cough and cold medicine that has the right combination of products for your child's age and symptoms to help relieve discomfort.

Cough suppressant syrups are recommended for dry, non-productive, irritating coughs that may interrupt sleep. Dextromethorphan is the cough suppressant that is best for children. It begins to work within half an hour after taking a does and can control a dry cough effectively for 3-6 hours.

STUFFY NOSE

To relieve a stuffy nose, salt water (saline) nose drops are often effective. You may wish to talk to your doctor or Pharmassist pharmacist about using a decongestant nose spray or a decongestant taken by mouth if the stuffiness continues.

FEVER AND HEADACHE

If your child is suffering from a fever, placing a cool washcloth on the child's head can help. A sponge bath with lukewarm (30 to 32 Celcius or 85 to 90 Fahrenheit) water might also help to comfort the child and bring the fever down. The child's room should be kept comfortably cool.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are the best medicines for reducing fever and helping with a headache. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your child's needs. Fever and headache should never be treated with ASA because it can cause a serious condition known as Reye's Syndrome in a small number of children.

WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR

A doctor should be called if your child is:

- fewer than 3 months old with a rectal temperature above 37.8 Celcius or 100.1 Fahrenheit
- 3-6 months old with a rectal temperature above 38.3 Celcius or 101 Fahrenheit
- 6-12 months old with a rectal temperature above 39.5 Celcius or 103 Fahrenheit
- any age when the fever lasts more than 3 days or is accompanied by additional signs of illness
- coughing with a 'barky' cough, known as croup
- 3 months old or younger and has been coughing for more than a few hours
- suffering from a sore throat
- having trouble breathing or working hard to breathe
- listless or cranky
- suffering from an earache

You know your child best. Call your doctor if you have concerns.