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Forms and Instructions
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Colder weather means respiratory season is here. If your children are coughing and having a runny nose, here is what you need to know about getting them through cough and cold season.
For children under the age of 4, it is not recommended that you use cough and cold medications. Use saline nose drops to thin nasal mucus and a bulb syringe to relieve congestion in young children. A cool mist humidifier or vaporizer in your child’s room will moisten the nasal passages. Be sure to clean the humidifier according to manufacturer instructions. Dark honey is a natural cough suppressant and works as well as any cough medicine — however, this should only be used in children older than 12 months. Make sure you brush your child’s teeth if giving honey at bedtime.
For children ages 4 and above, over-the-counter medications can be used as long as you feel it is helping. Cough drops are often helpful in children over age 4. Most cough and cold symptoms should be getting better after seven to ten days.
For fever, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) to babies younger then 6 months. Give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a child over 6 months. Ask you child’s doctor for the right dosage for your child’s age and size. Do not give aspirin to children. If your child is under 2 months, call your doctor for any fever greater then 100 degrees. If fever lasts more then 3-4 days or does not respond to fever reducers, or your child is acting very sick, call your doctor immediately.
Babies born prematurely, and children with asthma, are at higher risk for more serious infections. Some more concerning signs and symptoms include coughing in fits or spells, vomiting associated with coughing, labored breathing or retractions, poor color, refusing to drink liquids and lethargy. These can be signs of a more serious infection like pneumonia, influenza, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Frequent hand washing or hand sanitizers will help prevent the spread of germs. Keep your child’s immunizations up to date and make sure your child is getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet.
Dr. Heather Isaacson is a board certified pediatrician at Longmont Clinic. She can be reached at 720-494-3133.
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