Decode your child’s colds & fever

HOW DO YOU know it it’s just a “common cold” that doesn’t need medical attention? Is the cough really that bad that the child needs to be taking medicine? How “high” can you let that fever go before rushing your baby to the ER?

We asked Dr. Anna C. de Ocampo, a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician with The Melmed Center in Arizona, USA, to answer our most frequently asked questions on the common cold, cough and fever.

According to de Ocampo, virus is still the most common cause of “common cold,” particularly “Rhinovirus,” which causes runny nose or nasal congestion.

A US study of parents revealed that 63 percent believed over-the-counter medication such as antibiotics could relieve cold symptoms.

Common cold

However, “common cold” or upper respiratory infection” (URI) is actually mostly self-limiting; it will go away without antibiotic or over-the-counter remedies. You just let it run its course.

Consult your pediatrician before giving your child cold medication.

The common cough is caused by a virus -- if it’s not allergy-related. Visit your child’s doctor to determine if the cough is viral or caused by an allergy.

For viral infections, the treatment is merely supportive. Dr. de Ocampo recommends ample rest and liquids. The virus will dissipate on its own.

But observe your child’s condition closely. Possible complications include sinusitis, otitis media (ear infection), and bronchitis or pneumonia (lower respiratory tract infections). These need antibiotic treatment prescribed by your doctor.

Serious signs

Signs that say you should visit the pediatrician:

* Any cough or cold that does not get better in several days, or persists for more than seven days and seems to be getting worse, or a cold that gets worse and is accompanied by a fever
* Ear pain with fever
* Inability to sleep or eat
* Child is acting ill and lethargic
* Drainage from ears
* Sore throat or problems swallowing
* Not eating or urinating for more than a day

Fever

Dr. de Ocampo explains that fever, also known as “pyrexia,” is the body’s response to an underlying medical condition, viral or bacterial. It could also be due to more serious conditions.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that not all fevers are a cause for worry. Many don’t need treatment. By activating a child’s immune system, it can even shorten the illness. According to pediatricians, a fever is not considered significant unless it reaches above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees centigrade.

If the fever is mild and there are no other symptoms accompanying it, treatment is not usually required in a child older than three months. However, you should consult your pediatrician if the baby is less than three months old and if the fever is accompanied by other symptoms -- sweating, dehydration, headache, muscle aches, lack of appetite, burning eyes, general weakness and shivering.

Some children may experience hallucinations, irritability and confusion when suffering from very high fever.

Treatments

* Complete rest
* Cool baths (but please consult your pediatrician first)
* Avoid heavy exercise
*Acetaminophen (Tylenol) at the age/weight appropriate dose may be given every four to six hours to bring the fever down. However, call your doctor before giving medication to check correct dosage. Do not overuse Acetaminophen/Tylenol because this can lead to toxicity.

* Ibuprofen is another fever medication that can be given if needed. However, it should not be given more than every six to eight hours. Again, consult a pediatrician.
* Children should not be given aspirin for fever.

Home remedies (with proper doctor’s guidance)

* Drink lots of water to make up for the loss of body fluid. This will also help bring down your child’s body temperature.

* For mild fever, have the child lie in bed and completely cover him with a blanket for 20 minutes. Then, crush 10 grams of raisins with ginger and boil in 200 ml of water until it is reduced to 50 ml. Strain, cool and have your child drink the ginger and raisin solution while warm.

* Encourage your child to take lots of liquid food instead of solid food, as liquid food is easier to digest. He can also take boiled or steamed vegetables, vegetable soup, honey yogurt, fresh fruits and fresh fruit juices. Cow’s milk may be taken in small quantities two to three times a day. Have your child eat rice cooked with lentils and spices like cumin seeds, ginger, turmeric, coriander and salt. Remember that your child should completely avoid heavy foods like fast food, chicken, fish and raw and fried food.

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Home remedies

Try these home remedies only after consulting your child’s doctor:

Lemon. This can be an effective home remedy for the common cold, because this vitamin C-rich fruit increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of honey and can be taken once or twice every day.

Garlic. This is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold. It contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties and medicinal ones. It is best to turn it into a soup by preparing three to four cloves of chopped garlic with a cup of water, to be taken once daily. The soup will flush out toxins from the body and bring down the fever. You can also mix five drops of garlic oil with a teaspoon of onion juice in a cup of water, to be taken two to three times a day.

from :inquirer.net