Parents Advised to Skip Over-the-counter Cold, Flu Medications for Kids

While infant cough and cold medications were pulled off shelves last year, nearly 800 over-the-counter cough and cold medications still are available for children over 2 years old - a decision with which Haller disagrees.

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"I feel strongly that they should all be taken off the market," Haller said.

"Numerous studies have shown that these do not make children with colds and sore throats feel better any quicker than doing nothing. And over the years, thousands of children have been hospitalized and scores of children have died as a result of taking these drugs because of their side effects and the fact that many of these drugs contain multiple active ingredients, which add up to a harmful dose."

In the first two years of life, it's normal for children to get an average of six significant upper respiratory infections per year. While nothing can cure a cold, Haller suggests safe ways to prevent and treat symptoms of colds and flu, including:

• Have children vaccinated for the flu.
• Use cool mist humidifiers whenever it's cold enough outside to turn on the heat indoors. When the weather is cold, the air is dry and will dry out the membranes in the nose, breaking down the child's natural barrier to infection in the nose.
• Use saline drops and sprays to moisturize the nasal membranes and loosen up mucus.
• Avoid smoking in the household to reduce environmental irritants.
• Wash your hands when taking care of children and teach kids to clean their hands before they eat.
• Make sure children drink fluids and get plenty of rest.

"Parents often feel powerless when their kids are sick and are desperate to help them feel better," Haller said. "But drugs are not the answer for every illness. Not only will these over-the-counter medicines not help your child feel better, but they can be very dangerous, too



Source: Newswise
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