Close That Medicine Cabinet...
...And let your child's cold run its course.
Seems those over-the-counter medications don't do a whole lot of good.
Here's the gist:
"The FDA strongly recommends to parents and caregivers that OTC cough and cold medicines not be used for children younger than 2," said Charles Ganley, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Nonprescription Products. "These medicines, which treat symptoms and not the underlying condition, have not been shown to be safe or effective in children under 2."
The FDA also recommends that anyone with questions contact a physician, pharmacist or other health care professional to discuss how to treat a child with a cough or cold.
As parents, we always want to find a way to make our kids feel better. But in this case, we'll just stick to TLC instead of OTC!
Be Safe!
(c) Suzanne Tucker. Image from BigStockPhoto.com
Seems those over-the-counter medications don't do a whole lot of good.Here's the gist:
"The FDA strongly recommends to parents and caregivers that OTC cough and cold medicines not be used for children younger than 2," said Charles Ganley, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Nonprescription Products. "These medicines, which treat symptoms and not the underlying condition, have not been shown to be safe or effective in children under 2."
The FDA also recommends that anyone with questions contact a physician, pharmacist or other health care professional to discuss how to treat a child with a cough or cold.
As parents, we always want to find a way to make our kids feel better. But in this case, we'll just stick to TLC instead of OTC!
Be Safe!
(c) Suzanne Tucker. Image from BigStockPhoto.com
8 Comments:
well technically, no one should really take medicine for the common cold, right?
http://eshs.edu.googlepages.com
I reviewed several books and sites and understood that it just creates resistance to bacteria for which antibiotics become ineffective.
OTC medications are not antibiotics. Most of them are anti-inflamitory and cough supressants. Antibiotics have to be prescribed by a licensed medical provider. The scare is coming from the over prescription of medicines for common illnesses, which leads to the bug gaining an "immunity" to that type of antibiotic.
Also if the cold is a virus, these just have to run their course, however, bacterial infections are those that can be defeated by the anti-biotics. It is just important not to use the same one continuously. It is better that if the child keeps getting the same cold, for instance ear infections, that they either switch anti-biotics every so often or if mild run their course. I am hesitant to tell anyone to let their children fight of some of these bugs on their own without the help of medicines. In some instances when there isn't a continuous fever or other symptoms it should be ok, however, these bugs that are out there today, even if they aren't resistant can become dangerous very quickly. It is always best to check with a Primary care physician before deciding to let your children fight a cold on their own!
My son for instance a year ago had a cold with a cough, and a fever for a day, after that it was just a continuous cough, come to find out he had pneumonia, luckily we caught it in the early enough stages to prevent him from having to be admitted into the hospital.
I work in an inpatient part of a hospital and I am seeing a lot more children come through with colds that could have been managed if taken to the pediatrician and caught early on. However, there are always those instances that can repute or approve what I have said! :)
I have to agree with some of the points raised by anonymous... While care and concern need to be taken when medicating a child, if done responsibly it can be beneficial.
I am a healthcare provider but more importantly the mother of an asthmatic son. I have to stay on top of my son's cold/cough s/sx or his asthma will spiral out of control.
One of the most important things that can be done with this issue is EDUCATION of parents and caregivers.
My daughetr has a doubl eear infection and severe sinus infection. She has swelling in her face for four days now. She has been taking augmetan and a antihistamin and decongestant syrup. It doesn't seem to be going away. SHould I be worried that is is not a virus. her doctor is not sure wha tiis is and prescribed a steroid for the swelling. I am leary of another medication and I am really not sure what to do as far as tacking her to childrens hospital. Any help would be appreciated.
Sounds like your little one is very ill.This doesn't sound like a virus. The antibiotic she is on may not be able to battle the infection. She may need a new one. Steroids can be very useful when used properly and when the patient is weaned of them. There are some risks associated with any medication but usually the benefits outwiegh the risks. (unless your child has an underlying medical condition) If you feel that her MD isn't make good decisions, PLEASE get a second opinion. Push for more tests to be performs such as a chest xray and bloodwork. Included in the bloodwork should be a CBC which is a complete blood count which can tell you a lot about the infection and how well her body is fighting it. Another blood test that they might do is blood cultures to make sure the infection isn't systemic.
It's never wrong to get a second opinion. Many healthcare professionals do not take into account what the parent is saying in regards to symptoms, concerns, etc.
If you feel that something is wrong, you are probably right. A mother's intuition is a powerful thing!!!
Anonymous... take your daughter to the hospital. It could be very serious. My son at 18 months had on going sinus and ear infections. My doctor just kept presc. different antibiotics to no avail and told us it could not be a sinus infection because he was too young for sinus cavities to be developed. Face swelled, we went to the emergency room - he had peri-orbital cellulitus (sp?). Basically the infection had gone around the eye and according to the ENT doctor in a short time it leads to blindness then brain damage. Also, ENT said not only were his sinus cavities developed but severely infected. I became a changed mother regarding meds and esp., antibiotics. When a doctor just keeps prescribing them one after another - beware. Our new doctor is all about preventive maintenance. I am proud to say my son, who was once always sick and on one med. after another has not been sick for five years and my second child at the age of four has never had more than a slight cold. At the first sign of drip or cold we get something like Children's Claritin - give each morning do steam shower/bath, and humidifiers at night, etc. and stop it before it becomes anything serious
SOO DO WE JUST LET THE COLD OR RUNNY NOSE GO ON UNTILL IT GOES AWAY? I TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO DAYCARE AND THEY ALWAYS TELL US TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING OR ELSE THEY CANT ATTEND THE DAYCARE.OR TO TAE A DOCTORS NOT SAYING IT ISNT CONTAGIOUS? THAT DOESNT SOUND RIGHT SO WHAT ELSE COULD I DO. KEEP MY CHILD MISSING DAYCARE AND MYSELF FROM SCHOOL?
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