COMMON COLD TREATMENT
Symptomatic treatment — The treatment of an infant or child with a cold is different than treatment recommended for adults. Antihistamines, decongestants, cough medicines, and expectorants, alone and in combinations, are all marketed for the symptoms of a cold. However, there have been few clinical trials of these products in infants and children.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has recommended against the use of these medications in children younger than six years. We agree with this recommendation because these medications are not proven to be effective and have the potential to cause dangerous side effects. For children older than six years, cold medications may have fewer risks; however, there is still no proven benefit.
Caregivers may give acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) to treat a child (older than three months) who is uncomfortable because of fever during the first few days of a cold. Ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) can be given to children older than six months. Aspirin should not be given to any child under age 18 years. There is no benefit of these medications if the child is comfortable. Caregivers should speak with their child's health care provider about when and how to treat fever.
Humidified air may improve symptoms of nasal congestion and runny nose. For infants, caregivers can try saline nose drops to thin the mucus, followed by bulb suction to temporarily remove nasal secretions. An older child may try using a saline nose spray.
Honey may be helpful for nighttime cough in children older than 12 months.
Caregivers should encourage their child to drink an adequate amount of fluids; it is not necessary to drink extra fluids. Children often have a reduced appetite during a cold and may eat less than usual. If an infant or child completely refuses to eat or drink for a prolonged period, the caregiver should contact their child's health care provider.
Antibiotics are not effective in treating colds. They are necessary only if the cold is complicated by a bacterial infection, like an ear infection, pneumonia, or sinusitis. Caregivers who think their child has developed one of these infections should contact their child's health care provider.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance and can possibly lead to side effects, such as an allergic reaction.
Herbal and alternative treatments: A number of alternative products, including zinc and herbal products such as echinacea, are advertised to treat or prevent the common cold. There is some evidence that prophylactic use of vitamin C may decrease the duration of the common cold in children, but it is insufficient to recommend routine use of vitamin C. With the exception of vitamin C, none of these
COMMON COLD TREATMENT
Symptomatic treatment — The treatment of an infant or child with a cold is different than treatment recommended for adults. Antihistamines, decongestants, cough medicines, and expectorants, alone and in combinations, are all marketed for the symptoms of a cold. However, there have been few clinical trials of these products in infants and children.