A treatment for cold in children

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A treatment for cold in children

Contents

1 Overview of the common cold in children

2 Treatment of cold in children

3 Reducing cold symptoms in children

3.1 Medicinal options

3.1.1 Painkillers and fever reducers

3.1.2 Decongestants

3.1.3 Cough medicines

3.1.4 Antihistamines

4 References

An overview of the common cold in children

A common cold is a common viral infection that affects the upper part of the respiratory system,

Although individuals of different age groups are susceptible to catching a cold,

However, children and infants get colds more frequently.

And their cold symptoms usually last for a longer period of time than adults.

In particular, children have a higher chance of catching a cold during the fall and winter seasons, and during school days.

Where there is a lot of friction and communication between children with toys and direct contact with their peers,

As for the symptoms of a cold, they are mainly a blocked or runny nose

A cold can also be accompanied by some other symptoms, such as:

Cough
Throat pain in some cases
Have a slight fever.

Treatment of cold in children

In fact, there is no cure for a cold.

As the child’s body builds immunity during the period of infection that enables it to protect itself and resist infection,

Thus, providing care and care is one of the best treatment methods that can be provided to a child with a cold,

Symptoms of the common cold may disappear completely after about two weeks of infection.

The treatments that can be provided to a person with a cold,

whether young or old, are limited to medicines and treatments aimed

at alleviating the unpleasant symptoms during the period of infection,

In addition to the above, it is worth noting the need to avoid the use

of antibiotics in the event of a cold,

As mentioned previously, the common cold is a viral infection.

As for antibiotics, they are drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections only,

Therefore, it is of no use in treating a cold infection,

In addition, the frequent use of antibiotics leads to an increased

chance for the child to have a bacterial infection in the future that resists the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Reducing cold symptoms in children

1- Medicinal options

Medicines that help relieve cold symptoms are available in the form of pharmaceutical preparations that contain one of these types of medicines separately.

Or in the form of a single pharmaceutical preparation that contains more than one type of them together,

Some parents resort to these medications in order to reduce their children’s discomfort and help them feel better.

But there are some warnings regarding the use of these drugs,

In some cases, it may be inappropriate to give the child medicine to relieve the symptoms of a cold.

Especially in relation to the child’s age,

The most prominent types of these drugs, and medical recommendations about the age after which these drugs can be used can be stated as follows:

First: pain relievers and fever reducers

Medicines that help relieve pain and ease the child’s discomfort can be given.

In addition to reducing the slight temperature that can accompany a child’s cold,

Such as Paracetamol, which can be given to children over the age of three months.

Or ibuprofen; Which can be given to children over the age of six months,

As for aspirin, it is prohibited to give it to those under the age of 18, for fear of the occurrence of a dangerous syndrome known as Reye’s syndrome.

It should be noted that the mild fever that the child suffers during a cold,

It is one of the ways the body takes to fight infection,

Therefore, the use of fever-reducing drugs is not appropriate in some cases,

Here lies the importance of consulting a pediatrician first before starting to use any medicine in case the child has a cold,

Especially if the affected child does not exceed two years of age,

It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions about the type of treatment that can be used, and the appropriate dosages for the child.

Second: decongestants

Decongestants are of limited effectiveness in relieving congestion in children.

Which appears as one of the symptoms that usually accompany a cold,

Also, children under the age of six years are more likely to suffer from the side effects of these drugs.

Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration warns against providing these medicines to children under the age of six years without a prescription from a specialist.

While it is allowed to be given to those over the age of six years.

Third: Cough medicines

Coughing helps the body to clear the airways and remove phlegm that can collect in them in some cases,

Examples of cough control medications include:

Expectorants that help expel sputum,

Cough suppressants, meaning drugs that suppress coughing,

It should be noted that it is important to consult a doctor before using cough medicines.

Where it is necessary for the doctor to assess the nature of the cough and make sure of the nature of the disease that the child suffers from in order to choose the appropriate type of cough medicine,

In addition, it should be said that the Food and Drug Administration also warns against using cough medicine for children under the age of six without a prescription from a specialist.

Fourth : antihistamines

Antihistamines are used to relieve allergy symptoms.

It can also be used to relieve some of the general symptoms associated with the common cold, such as: runny nose,

But as is the case with regard to the use of cough medicine and decongestants The Food and Drug Administration warns against offering it to children with colds under the age of six years without a prescription from a specialist due to its limited effectiveness and that children under six years of age are more likely to suffer from its side effects.

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