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New
Guidelines for Treating Common Cold
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School Health takes
pride in providing you with necessary and detailed information whenever
new developments in healthcare arise. Recently, there has been controversy
regarding the use of cough and cold medicines by young-aged children.
Studies in this matter are ongoing, but until anyone can be sure of the
consequences, it would be prudent to follow the guidelines provided by
health officials and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At School
Health, we offer tips, articles and products that can safely prepare you
and your community in prevention and relief of the common cold.
Click here
to view our 2007 cough and cold flyer.
Cough Medicine Awareness
The FDA has reported that very young children simply should not take some
commonly used cold and cough medicines. Federal health officials recommend
that family physicians be consulted before giving children younger than
age six antihistamines and children younger than age two decongestants.
The FDA examination of whether the nearly 800 widely used medicines, are
safe and effective in treating children's colds and coughs, has resulted
in debate. Experts have informed the FDA that the over-the-counter medicines
should be studied further, even after decades in which children have received
billions of doses a year. "The data that we have now is they don't
seem to work," said Sean Hennessy, a University of Pennsylvania epidemiologist,
one of the FDA experts gathered to examine the medicines.
Prevention
Though the safety and usefulness of children's cold medicines is now in
doubt, there are traditional methods to treating a cold that parent's
can use. For one, a common cold is a non-threatening virus that can be
waited out. Treating the symptoms, at any age, does not relieve a cold
any faster. However, pediatric specialists provide useful tips to make
the cold patient more comfortable. First, plenty of liquids are a necessity;
this includes soups. Second, suction bulbs and saline nose drops can be
used in clearing and draining a child's clogged nose. Humidifiers and
menthol chest creams are recommended in easing stuffiness and aiding the
child's congestion. It is important to dispose of tissues immediately
after single use, and consistently wash or sanitize hands. Finally, acetaminophen
or ibuprofen, as recommended by your doctor, can be used to alleviate
pain or discomfort, but it is important to make sure they do not contain
decongestants or antihistamines.
Resourceful Links:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/09/28/cough.medicines.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
- CNN Reports on FDA Guidelines
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/cold081607.html
- FDA/ Facts and Advice for Parents
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/OTClabel.htm
- FDA Consumer Label Study
http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=316
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