Your Child And The Common Cold

By: Carrie Davis/News Channel 7 | News Channel 7
Published: November 06, 2007

It is that time of year. Children are lining up at the doctors office with sore throats and runny noses. You guessed it, many have the common cold. This year a FDA panel is warning parents not to use over the counter cold and cough medicines in children under six, because they may not work and misuse could be deadly.

So what can you do if your young one gets a cold? Maybe an herbal remedy?

Dr. William Bungarz with Regional Pediatric Services says, "I don't use any of those medications I don't think they make any difference."

So, what about a vapor rub to relieve the congestion?

"I don't recommend those either my concern is particularly with younger children is ultimately they get it on their hands and then on their face, eyes, mouth."

With so many medicines and remedies off limits we wanted to know, when our children have a cold, what is safe and what will make them feel better? "
According to Dr. Bungarz, unfortunately not much.

He says, "Basically there is nothing that is going to make it go away."

He says all you can do for your children is treat the symptoms.

"Basically what we are recommending at this point is normal saline nose drops again not medication just salt water just help to clear the upper airway and make the child a little more comfortable."

Dr. Bungarz also says keep them hydrated and you can use a humidifier to help break up that chest congestion. Just make sure it is cleaned properly.

According to the doctor, while these colds are tough for your children to deal with remember they just last 5 to 7 days.

If the cold does last longer than a week, the doctor says that’s an indication your child may have more than a cold. He also says if your child has a fever you can give them Tylenol or Motrin, but that is another indicator you may want to visit your physician.

Again, remember a Federal Drug Administration panel is warning parents not to give cold and cough medicines to children under six years old. That is because they have not been proven effective. Also if they are given the wrong amount the child could overdose.