Colds the Fewer Caught the Better

The Fewer Caught, the Better

Some kids seem to have a cold brewing almost all the time, which is not surprising when you consider that approximately 200 viruses can cause the common cold. Most of these cold viruses are extremely hardy. They can survive for several hours on hands, clothing and hard surfaces as well as in the air, giving your child ample opportunity to pick up something infectious somewhere. Small wonder, then, that most kids average about six colds every year.

Spending seven days--more or less--soothing a child with a cold isn't most parents' idea of a good time. Before a typical cold runs its course, you'll have to deal with sniffles and sneezes, stuffiness and coughs, runny nose and scratchy throat, maybe even a low-grade fever. But it's reassuring to know that these symptoms seldom turn out to be serious.

''The vast majority of kids--even infants--do just fine with a cold,'' says Michael Macknin, M.D., head of the Section of General Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, clinical professor at Pennsylvania State University Medical School in Hershey and associate professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University Medical School in Columbus. ''It's a very common ailment that rarely causes a problem,'' he says.

That doesn't mean that you should just ignore your child's cold, however. Although there is no cure for a cold virus (antibiotics only vanquish bacterial infections, such as those that cause strep throat or ear infection), you can give your child some relief from annoying symptoms. And you may be able to prevent some colds entirely. Here's what the experts suggest.

Boost immunity by breastfeeding your baby. ''To prevent colds in infants--as best we can--it pays to breastfeed,'' notes Naomi Grobstein, M.D., a family physician in private practice in Montclair, New Jersey. ''Breastfeeding can provide extra protection against those cold viruses to which the mother has already developed an immunity,'' she says.

Go easy on the acetaminophen for fever. '' You don't have to treat a low-grade fever,'' says Dr. Grobstein. ''Fever mobilizes the immune system and helps fight off infection.'' But if you choose to treat the fever because your child is intolerably uncomfortable, use acetaminophen--Children's Tylenol or any other brand.'' she suggests. Check the package directions for the correct dosage for your child's age and weight. If your child is under age two, consult a physician. '' You should never give aspirin to your child with a virus,'' she adds, ''because it has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a serious disease that affects the brain and liver.''

Smooth something soothing on a sore nose. ''Most children are not bothered by a runny nose, except when the skin around it becomes chapped and raw from frequent wiping,'' says Flavia Marino, M.D., a clinical instructor in pediatrics at New York University Medical Center, Tisch Hospital, and a pediatrician in New York City. To prevent that, she recommends applying a layer of petroleum jelly just beneath your child's nose as often as necessary.

Ask for hand washing. ''Cold viruses are frequently transmitted through hand contact,'' says Dr. Macknin. ''So simple hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.'' And be sure your child uses soap when she washes up, he says.

Put the squeeze on excess mucus. During the first few months of life, babies have a harder time than the rest of us if they're forced to breathe through the mouth, notes Dr. Marino. ''Nasal blockage caused by a cold may make it difficult for an infant to nurse or drink from a bottle,'' she says. ''But you can make breathing easier for your baby with the help of saline (saltwater) drops and a rubber suction bulb.''

You can purchase saline solution (sold under brand names such as Ayr Saline Nasal Mist and Ocean) from a pharmacy. Or you can mix your own, dissolving ¼ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of lukewarm water. ''Put a couple drops into your child's nose and wait a few moments,'' says Dr. Marino. ''Then squeeze the suction bulb and then insert the tip gently into one nostril. Slowly release the bulb to suction out mucus.'' After you dispose of the mucus in a tissue, repeat the procedure for the other nostril, he says. Be sure to sterilize the bulb afterward in boiling water.

Serve warm liquids. Offer your child plenty of warm drinks or soup, suggests Dr. Grobstein. '' Warm liquids help relieve congestion, and they can also soothe a sore throat,'' she says.

Mix a mild gargle. Another way to soothe a sore throat is to have your child gargle with warm water in which some salt has been dissolved, says Dr. Marino. This can be repeated several times a day, she says.

Don't squelch a daytime cough. ''Coughing is a protective mechanism that keeps bacteria and debris out of the lungs,'' says Dr. Marino. So leave the cough alone during the day. If coughing is keeping your child up at night, though, an over-the-counter cough suppressant may help him sleep, she says. ''Check with your physician for the appropriate dosage,'' says Dr. Marino, ''and schedule an office visit if the cough lingers for more than a few days or if fever persists.''

Say okay to school. ''Unless he has a fever or feels really lousy, there is no reason to make your child stay indoors or keep him home from school just because he has a cold,'' says Dr. Grobstein.

Ditch the decongestants and antihistamines. These over-the-counter cold medicines have never been proven effective for kids under the age of five, says Dr. Macknin. ''They may work, but there's not a single article in the scientific literature for the last 40 years that supports their use,'' he says.

Dr. Macknin concedes that decongestants, at least, may offer some symptomatic relief, but both types of remedies have side effects. ''Decongestants may make a child hyperactive, and antihistamines may make him sleepy,'' he says. ''And in some instances, kids may have other, more unusual or severe reactions.''

The bottom line, Dr. Macknin says, is that cold medications won't make the cold go away faster. So unless your child feels truly miserable, don't use them.

Check for stress. Studies have shown there is a link between stress and illness. '' When your child is very fatigued, worn out or under a lot a stress, she is more likely to become ill with a cold,'' Dr. Macknin says. If you discover that your child is facing a stressful situation, either at play or at school, consider what steps can be taken to relieve her concerns. Pressure at school, trouble with friends or too many activities may be contributing factors.