| Because there are more than 200 viruses
that cause colds, most healthy children get at least six
colds throughout the course of a year. "It is particularly
important to watch young infants who come down with a
cold," explains Kent Amstutz, D.O., a pediatrician
at Boys Town Pediatrics in Papillion. "Stuffy nasal
passages can interfere with their ability to suck, causing
dehydration and drainage of fluid into the ear canal can
cause ear infections."
Medicines to Avoid
According to Dr. Amstutz, most over-the-counter cold
remedies are worthless and nothing will make the cold
last a shorter period of time. "Avoid drugs that
have several ingredients because they can cause greater
side effects," says Dr. Amstutz. "Also avoid
oral decongestants because they can make your child
jittery and prevent him from sleeping at night. And,
most important, do not use leftover antibiotics. They
have no effect on viruses and may be harmful."
There are, however, many ways to relieve the symptoms
associated with a cold.
- Runny Nose Clear the nose for a day or two.
Use a soft rubber suction bulb to gently remove the
secretions from younger babies. Encourage older children
to sniff or swallow secretions rather than to blow
the nose. Blowing the nose can force the infection
into the ears or sinuses. Antihistamines are useless
unless your child has a nasal allergy.
- Dry or Stuffy Nose To unclear the nose, use
warm water nosedrops or saline nosedrops, then suction
or blow out the fluid in the nose. Repeat this process
at least four times a day.
- Fever Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for
aches or mild fever.
- Sore Throat Give warm chicken broth to children
over one year. Give hard candies to children over
four years.
- Cough Give 1/2 teaspoon corn syrup to children
over one year. Give cough drops to children over four
years. Place a humidifier in the bedroom to make the
air less dry.
- Red Eyes Rinse often with wet cotton balls.
- Poor Appetite Because preventing dehydration
is the goal, make sure the child drinks often, no
matter what the liquid is. You may have to put aside
rules about no soda or sugary drinks until the child
is well again.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
"Check with your doctor if your child has as a
fever that lasts more than three days, a runny nose
that lasts more than 10 days, shows signs of an earache
or sinus pain, or the nose can't be unblocked enough
for your infant to drink adequate fluids," advises
Dr. Amstutz. "However, if your child has more serious
problems, such as difficulty breathing even after clearing
the nose or if he starts acting very sick, contact your
doctor immediately."
 Dr.
Amstutz is board-certified in pediatrics and provides
both general and developmental pediatric care. He is
a graduate of the University of Osteopathic Medicine
and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa and completed his pediatric
residency at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. In addition,
Dr. Amstutz completed a Fellowship in Developmental
Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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