You may know that cold and influenza season is around the corner, however that does not make it much easier when you see your youngster battling with a cough and a stuffy nose.
Colds and flus are viral infections, so antibiotics won’t help when it concerns clearing up an infection. Nevertheless, there are actions you can require to help your child feel better while their immune system battles the infection.
Know What to Give and When
Adults can easily take cold and cough medications, however the United States Food and Drug Administration recommends versus children under age 4 taking non-prescription cold and cough medications. If your child has a fever or symptoms of a cold, and is under age 4, call their pediatrician to figure out first if you have to give any medication, and how much you have to administer.
Bear in mind that a fever is the body’s method of eradicating an infection. When your child has a low-grade fever, this does not constantly have to be controlled with non-prescription medications.
Treatment of Cold and Flu in Babies
Call your child’s pediatrician first to discover if your child needs medication. If it’s advised that your child take medication, keep in mind to inspect the dosing information when using either children’s or infant acetaminophen (Tylenol), as they may be different. Stick to just one type of medicine to avoid providing the incorrect dose.
Examine the label on the bottle for the concentration of acetaminophen. Let your child’s pediatrician know what type you are giving your child, and make certain you comprehend how many milliliters or half-milliliters you must give your child.
If your child is over 6 months old, you might also give ibuprofen to help manage fever or pain. It’s best to pick either ibuprofen or acetaminophen instead of alternating between the two, as alternating can cause unintentional overdoses.
You might discover it hard to measure out medications in the cups that are consisted of with the bottle. If you’re worried about using the provided measuring cup, talk with your local pharmacist. Numerous drug stores can supply measuring syringes that are more precise.
Your child’s pediatrician may recommend giving multiple medications at one time, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers. If this holds true, make certain you read the labels of all medications carefully, to avoid accidental overdose. For instance, some decongestants include the painkiller acetaminophen.
Your child could get really ill if they take a decongestant with acetaminophen, and a different medication with acetaminophen. Make certain to jot down which medication you provided and the time you offered it, so that you don’t give too much.
Remember that you should never give aspirin to a child who is 18 years of ages or more youthful. Aspirin can cause a rare disorder called Reye’s syndrome in young people.
See also: What are the Side Effects of H1N1 Vaccine?
See also: What are the Side Effects of Flu Vaccination?
Offer Plenty of Fluids
Keep your child hydrated to assist reduce cold and flu symptoms and make them feel better. Fevers can lead to dehydration. Your child might not feel as thirsty as they normally would, and they may be uncomfortable when drinking, so it’s important to motivate them to drink lots of fluids.
Dehydration can be really serious in infants, specifically if they are under 3 months old. Call your pediatrician if you suspect your baby is dehydrated. Some signs might include:
- no tears when weeping
- dry lips
- soft spots that seem sunken-in
- decreased activity
- urinating less than 3 to 4 times in 24 hours.
If your child is breastfed, attempt to breastfeed them more regularly than normal. Your baby might be less interested in breastfeeding if they are ill. You might need to have a number of short feeding sessions in order for them to consume sufficient fluid.
Ask your child’s doctor if an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte) is suitable. Keep in mind, you should not give youngsters sports drinks.
Older children have more hydration options. These might include:
- sports drinks
- popsicles
- juice
- broth
- flat white soda.
Clear Up Stuffed Nasal Passages
Medicated nasal sprays aren’t advised for kids. Thankfully, there are a number of easy methods to improve a stuffy nose without medication.
Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s space. This will help separate mucus. Be sure to thoroughly clean the humidifier in between uses to keep mold from developing in the machine.
Another alternative is using a saline nasal spray or drops, makings thin mucus much easier to blow out or get rid of with a bulb syringe. This is particularly handy before feeding and bedtime.
Loosen up the Cough
If your child is over 1 years of age, attempt providing honey for a cough instead of medication. You can give 2 to 5 ml of honey a few times during the day. Studies show that honey is safer and likely more efficient than cough medicines for children over 1-year-old.
Promote Rest
Your child might be really hot due to fever. Gown them conveniently and prevent heavy blankets or excessive layers that might make your child feel hotter. A lukewarm bath can also help your child cool down and wind down before resting or going to sleep for the night.
See Your Child’s Doctor
Sometimes even the best at-home care isn’t really enough to assist your youngster make a complete recovery. Call your doctor right away if your child:
- has a fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two days, or a fever of 104 or greater for any quantity of time
- has a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater and is under 3 months old
- has a fever that will not improve after taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- seems abnormally drowsy or sluggish
- will not eat or drink
- is wheezing or lacks breath.
You should constantly call your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns or concerns about their health.
Surviving Cold and Flu Season
After your child recovers from a cold or flu, it’s time to enter into prevention mode. Wash all surfaces they came into contact with before or during their illness. Motivate your children and your other relative to clean their hands frequently to keep future bacteria at bay. Keep your child from day care or school when they are ill, particularly when they have a fever.
Revealing your child some loving care and taking actions to put them on the mend can help you make it through cold and influenza season.
