The Cold Truth – Understanding and Dealing with the Common Cold
Important Medication Information for Parents
When adults feel feverish, they often reach for acetaminophen. However, when it comes to children, the adult dosage of his common over-the-counter pain reliever can lead to nausea, liver damage and even death. It's essential that adults monitor a child's acetaminophen dosage. Keep the following in mind:
Watch the Dosage
Check for the proper amount of medicine for your child's size. Age can be a good determinant, but if your child is smaller or larger than a typical child his age, you should go by his weight. it's always a good idea to check with your child's pediatrician to determine the correct dosage.
Check the Labels
Some cold and cough medicines contain acetaminophen. Don't give these medicines if you are also giving a pain reliever.
Consider Your Child
Children with chronic disease, such as diabetes, have a greater chance of experiencing a reaction to acetaminophen.
Avoid Aspirin
Never give your children aspirin if they have the flu or chicken pox. Aspirin has been linked to Reye's Syndrome, a serious liver disorder.
To learn more, contact the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation at (800) 233-7393.
December 2004 —This time of year may not bring very many chilly days to South Florida, but it does bring plenty of "cold" ones. Are you ready for cold season?
Pesky Virus
Many people believe you can catch a cold from wet hair or cold feet, but no research has ever proven that to be true. Viruses are to blame for the scratchy throat, sneezing and runny nose you feel when a cold sets in. Cold viruses — and there are hundreds of them — thrive in dry air, so you are more likely to encounter them when the humidity drops. Drier air, outdoors and in, also makes your nasal lining more susceptible to cold viruses.
People spend more time inside during the winter months — at work, in school or in the mall — and spending time in close quarters with other people increases the probability of exposure to a cold virus.
Handwashing Helps
The best way to prevent a cold is to wash your hands frequently. Also, try to avoid touching your face unless your hands are freshly washed. It's not always feasible to wash your hands after touching something that might have been touched by another person, so you may want to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on your desk or in your purse or pocket.
Another good cold-prevention technique is to keep your mucous membranes moist. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and use a humidifier if the air is very dry.
Even the most scrupulous hand washer can't avoid all germs. No cure for the common cold exists, but if you get a cold, you do have several treatment options.
Cold-Remedy Recommendations
- Avoid antibiotics — Antibiotics treat bacterial infections; colds are viral infections. If you take an antibiotic for a viral infection, not only are you not treating your illness, you are increasing your risk of developing a resistance to the antibiotic.
- Rest — It's low-tech, but bedrest is exactly what your body needs while it works to fight the cold virus.
- Increase fluid intake — Chicken soup really can make you feel better. Hot liquids help relieve stuffy noses, so if you don't care for soup, try some hot tea or hot water with lemon. Cold water and fruit juice are also good beverage choices to help replace fluid lost through nasal secretions. Avoid alcohol, however, because it has a dehydrating effect.
- Eat nutritiously — Ignore the old adage "feed a cold, starve a fever." If you have either one, you should eat healthy to keep your body strong.
- Tame your throat — A warm saltwater gargle temporarily relieves sore throat symptoms.
- Medicate with caution — Over-the-counter cold remedies can relieve symptoms, but they can't make your cold go away any more quickly. Read labels carefully, and choose medications that apply only to the cold symptoms you are experiencing.
If you are concerned about the symptoms you or your loved one may be experiencing, contact your doctor. For referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS.