HEALTH TOPICS

There’s no cure for the common cold (a viral infection that can’t be treated with antibiotics), says FDA pediatrician Amy M. Taylor, M.D., M.H.S. “A cold is self-limited, and most patients will get better on their own in a week or two without needing medications. For older children, some OTC medicines can help relieve the symptoms, but won’t change the natural course of the cold or make it go away faster,” Taylor says. “Coughs help the body clear the mucus out of the airway and protect the lungs: so you don’t want to suppress all coughs,” Taylor adds. Non-drug treatments for coughs include drinking plenty of fluids, especially warm drinks to soothe the throat. “Call your pediatrician at the first sign of illness whenever a baby three months or younger is sick,” Taylor advises. For all children, call if you see any of these symptoms: • A fever in an infant three months or younger • A fever of 102 degrees or higher at any age • Signs of labored breathing • Blue lips • Not eating or drinking, with signs of dehydration • Ear pain • Excessive crankiness or sleepiness • A cough that lasts for more than three weeks • Worsening symptoms Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, Dec 2017