Cold Symptom Relief and FluMist Update

Flu and Cold Season is here! Recently, we have seen a lot of viral croup-like illness with barky coughs that last more than a week, sore throats and fevers! In light of the recently released guidelines banning the use of over the counter cold medicines for children under the age of 6, you may be wondering what can I do for my child to help him/her with these cold symptoms?

A cold is a viral infection that is easily spread from person to person. The average healthy child will get 7-9 colds per year, more if a child attends daycare or playgroups. A cold usually lasts about 7-10 days. Antibiotics are not used to treat a cold only time and supportive measures.

Symptoms of a cold include:

• Runny or stuffy nose (clear, yellow, or even green mucus is normal)
• Sometimes a cough, hoarse voice, sore throat, swollen glands
• Usually a fever (less than 102 F)  

Suggestions for Cold Relief:

1. Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom. This may help to moisten the air and clear the nasal passages. Replace the water and clean the humidifier often.

2. Plenty of fluids. Breastmilk, formula, milk, and/or clear liquids are helpful. Eating solid foods is not as important as fluid intake.

3. Clear your child's nose with a suction bulb. The bulb must be squeezed first, then put the tip into one nostril and slowly release the bulb. This will hopefully draw out the mucus in the nose. Encourage the child to blow their nose if possible.

4. You may use saline nasal drops in order to thin the mucus a bit so that it may drain out or be removed with the suction bulb. Do not use drops that contain other medicines, they should contain only saline. You may also want to take a steamy shower with your child, this may further loosen the mucus.

5. If your child has a fever, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the correct dosage. Ibuprofen should not be administered to children less than 6 months old.  Over the counter cold remedies do not treat the illness and are not recommended in children under the age of 6 years.  If you have questions about dosage or about over the counter cold treatments, contact the office. 

Reasons to call us......

• Your baby has a cold and/or fever and is 3 months old or younger
• Your baby has difficulty breathing and does not improve after suctioning the nose
• Your baby acts very sick or is getting worse
• The fever is 102F or higher or fever lasting more than 2-3 days
• Cold symptoms lasting more than 10 days
• Your baby will not drink or sleep
• Your child has discharge from eyes, increasing sore throat or earache
• You have other questions or concerns about your child's cold

More information can be found on our website at...

 http://www.townandcountrypeds.com/test_health_uri.htm

Please note: 

We are as frustrated as our patients that the FluMist shipment has not arrived. We are powerless to predict when FluMist will arrive in our office. We have ordered plenty of vaccine and MedImmune (manufacturer of FluMist) assures us that “the shipment will probably arrive the 2^nd Week in November”.  We try our best during flu season to accommodate our large patient population, unfortunately sometimes unforeseen circumstances occur that are completely outside our control. There is injectable vaccine currently available for those 3 years and older with asthma or other chronic illnesses and also for children 6 months-3 years..call for available same day nurse appointment during the day or evening (at Clybourn) or to be scheduled with our Flu Clinics.

We have introduced Quality Assurance Patient Feedback Suggestion boxes at all 3 of our offices. At Town and Country Pediatrics, we work with you as a team to be your child’s primary care medical home. We are always seeking ways to improve our services and we value parent feedback negative and positive. Take the time to fill one of these forms out at your next visit or if you wish you may email us..  jenniferh@townandcountrypeds.com