COLDS AND COUGH
Colds are caused by many different kinds of
viruses. Viruses are very tiny “bugs” that cause many different kinds
of infections. Unlike infections caused by bacteria (like a strep
infection of the throat,) viral infections cannot be treated with
antibiotics. They go away on their own as a result of the body’s own
defense systems fighting them off.
Colds usually last for a few days to a week. Children with
colds often have a runny or stuffy nose, fever, cough, and tiredness.
Although we cannot cure viral infections and colds, we can do a number
of things to make children feel better while they have a cold.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of liquids and get
plenty of rest. Clear liquids are especially helpful in decreasing
congestion. If your baby is still breast feeding or on formula,
continue his or her regular feedings.
- Breathing cool moist air is very soothing and helps make
breathing easier. Consider letting your child breathe in steam from the
shower to help clear mucous from the throat and breathing passages. Try
using a cool mist humidifier in your child’s bedroom.
- Use a bulb syringe and saline (salt water) nose drops
only if your child is very uncomfortable. Saline drops can be purchased
at the pharmacy. Never use other kinds of nose drops in young children.
- In general, studies have not shown over-the-counter
cough and cold medicines to be very helpful for children.
- Coughing clears the lungs of mucous and infection. Using
a cough suppressant is generally not helpful because the medicine
prevents this natural clearing of the lungs.
Colds and coughs can occasionally become ear infections,
sinus infections, or pneumonia. If your child has a persistent fever, a
persistent cough, ear pain, or seems to be getting worse, or if your
child is having fast or labored breathing that
suggests he or she is working harder than usual to breath, please call
our
office.
Call Hour: 8:30 - 9:00
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