Common Sense for the Common Cold

(Article published in HWW Dec 2007)

Because a virus causes the common cold, it has no cure. But a bad cold can make you feel miserable and make you want to reach for medicines at the drug store to dampen the cough, runny nose, and sore throat.

But don’t give these medicines to your children!. There is no proof these medications help children get better. Worse, the ingredients that the cough and cold medications that adults use to relieve cold symptoms can have a very bad effect on the health of kids. They have even caused the death of some babies and children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now advises parents to not give over-the-counter cough and cold medications to children younger than six, unless prescribed by a doctor.

What are parents to do if they can’t use these medicines for their children? Well, the answer can be found in the tried and true remedies mommies and grandmas have handed down for generations.

1. Drink Up!—Children may not feel like eating solid foods when they are sick as much as they usually do. However, it is very important that they continue to drink fluids. Little ones can become dehydrated very quickly while ill with a cold infection, especially if they are also having vomiting or diarrhea along with the cold. Keep plenty of fluids like water and juices around for your child during their bout with a bad cold. Depending on how severe your child’s symptoms are your doctor may advise you to give your child Pedialyte or another hydration solution until they are able to eat and drink normally. And although there is no hard evidence that chicken soup cures a cold, the goodness of a nice bowl of homemade soup certainly can’t hurt. Also kids who can’t hold down liquids can sometimes suck a Popsicle or even let ice chips melt in their mouths.

2. Baby your baby—Rest and relaxation are just as important for children as for adults—especially when they are sick. In order for the body to fully fight off the infection it is important that it gets the chance to rejuvenate itself. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and sleep while he or she is ill.

3. Watch that fever—Children may have a fever with a cold. However, if the fever lasts for longer than 3 or 4 days you should check in with your child’s doctor to make sure that the fever is not caused by a more serious infection, like an ear infection or pneumonia, which would require antibiotics.

The bottom line is that the common cold is caused by a virus. Antibiotics can not help with a cold virus and over-the-counter medications may not be safe in children and have not been proven to do anything for their symptoms. Your child will need time for the cold virus to go away. Your love and attention will go a long way in helping them through this minor illness.

Natalie Langston-Davis, MD, MPH is a board-certified pediatrician and an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Montefiore Medical Center.