Microsoft word - enlarged document for colds-mon8new.doc

This information is courtesy of Dr. Kinga Jokay of the Rózsakert Medical Center
The Common Cold
Preschool children have 3-9 colds or viral upper respiratory tract infections (URI’s) a year. That means
approximately one every six weeks. Children in day-care, play groups or school may have even more,
especially during the winter months. The symptoms of upper respiratory infections are: runny nose, cough,
fever, aching muscles, sneezing and scratchy throat. URI’s can last between 3 days to 2 weeks.

Antibiotics do not work for colds!
What you can do to help:
Use a cool mist vaporizer. Ensure the child sleeps with the head elevated. Suction an.infant’s nose with a
bulb syringe, or buy a suction device that connects to the vacuum.cleaner sold in pharmacies called an
‘orrszívó porszívó’. Loosen mucus with several.drops of saline nose drops (Ocean, Ayre), or make your
own by adding 1/4 tsp of salt to.8 oz. of water. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol, panadol) for pain and fever
control.
Cold medicines: Medication should be avoided in the first 6-12 months of life because.of the high risk of
side effects. Thereafter, we recommend you use medicines sparingly.and thoughtfully. Choose those which
contain no alcohol, no saccharin and only the.ingredients necessary. Try to avoid combination
preparations.
Decongestants: The most helpful type of cold medicine is an oral decongestant, which.reduces blood flow
to the congested areas of the nose. Common ingredients are.pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Recently,
phenylpropanolamine (PPA) has been.pulled from the market.
Please avoid products which contain PPA.
Well-known Hungarian brands are: calciphedrine and rhinopront. Major side effects of,decongestants are
dizziness, and sleeplessness. Children with heart disease, diabetes,glaucoma, thyroid disease and those
using antidepressants should not take decongestants. Nose drops which contain decongestant medicine can
actually make the congestion worse after a few days of use, so we do not recommend them.
Cough Suppressants: Coughing is a protective reflex and should only be suppressed when it disturbs
sleep. The most common cough medicine is dextromethorphan, which is over the counter. In Hungary,
Robitussin Junior is a good choice. Your doctor may choose to prescribe a stronger cough suppressant after
listening to the child’s lungs in the office.
Cough suppressants should not be used on asthmatic children.
Antihistamines are helpful if the symptoms are allergic, and not infectious, in nature. If you have a cold,
and not allergies, antihistamines will simply make you drowsy. Examples of antihistamines are
chlorpheniramine, brompheneramine, fenistil, clemastine and diphenhydramine (benadryl).

Expectorants (guaifenesin) to loosen secretions are not effective, therefore they are not recommended.
Mucus thinners (acetylcysteine) can be useful if the child has trouble clearing his viscous secretions.
Common brands are flumisil and ACC in Hungary.

Source: http://www.moveoneinc.com/newsletter/2006_04/enlarged%20document%20for%20colds-Mon8.pdf