The kids are safely settled back into school and winter is fast approaching. So what comes next?
Our children are getting bombarded by hundreds of infections – quite LITERALLY!!!
So pediatrician, Dr Ilana Dickson is here to answer some of your questions about common colds and viruses and keeping your little ones happy and healthy.
Viral germs
What causes these infections?
They are caused by germs that are almost always viral. They can spread via saliva, runny noses, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea or even contact via skin.
What should we expect to see now?
Well, it’s a toss up between the “cold and flu season” vs. gastroenteritis (“running belly” or “stomach flu”).
What causes cough and runny nose?
These symptoms are usually caused by a viral infection called an “upper respiratory tract infection”.
Lots of viruses can take hold inside your nose, mouth, throat or lungs, and cause “cold” (chest cold/congestion) symptoms.
Treating a cold
Most people get over a cold without any lasting problems.
Even so, having a cold can be unpleasant.
However, TIME is the best medicine.
Our tendency is to try and treat these unpleasant symptoms with a “cold medicine”.
However, despite the urge to reach for one of these syrups, elixirs, suspensions or “cough” medicines, these so-called “cold and cough” medicines will not make the symptoms or the cold go away any quicker!
Time as medicine
Unless your doctor has diagnosed you with a bacterial infection, which over 90% of colds by nature are not, the only medicine out there is TIME to let it run its course.
Often, children will present with viral-associated, asthma-like symptoms and therefore your doctor may prescribe an inhaler.
- Sometimes nasal sprays or drops can provide relief, especially regarding runny, congested little noses.
- Nasal saline drops with or without the usage of a suction bulb is almost always helpful.
- Antihistamines may sometimes be helpful to use in order to obtain some relief from runny noses. However, it is important to remember that it will not “cure” a cold.
- For the little babies, nasal suctioning (with a bulb suction and nasal saline) is the best medicine!
This can really help those little guys feel comfortable.
Safety first
It is simply not safe to administer any over the counter cough and cold medicine (unless it has been recommended by your doctor).
We also know now that for children between 2 and 6 years of age, the safety of cough and cold medicines has not been well established and, in some studies, it can lead to very serious side effects… even death.
It is best to consult your doctors before buying any over the counter medicines.
After six years of age, most cold medicines are “approved”; however, remember that the course of the cold will not be altered whether you give your child these medicines.
All medicines come with unnecessary side effects that can be best avoided by not taking them if you don’t need to.
Viral infections
Viral infections can also present with fever.
In general, for a child three months and above who has been properly immunized, it is okay to watch them at home with fever for up to three days before bringing them in for evaluation, only if there are no signs or symptoms of:
- Respiratory distress (retractions, wheezing, shortness of breath, fast breathing, laboring to breathe, etc.)
- Dehydration (refusing fluids, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased urine, sunken eyes, dry mouth, listlessness)
- Altered mental status (irritability, lethargy, bizarre behavior, stiff neck)
- New rash WITH fever
- Fever 105 or above
Dealing with fever
For young infants under three months of age - especially in their first six weeks - fever (anything 100°F or 38°C and above) should be evaluated promptly by a medical provider, which may mean bringing your child in overnight to be seen in Casualty or A&E.
Fever should be taken very seriously in a young infant.
Most colds will eventually turn yellow or green depending on whether they are viral or bacterial.
This is part of the natural course of any cold whether it’s viral or bacterial.
Cold symptoms that present with prolonged fever or symptoms which last longer that 10-14 days should be evaluated for possible bacterial infection.
Flu
What is the “FLU”???
Influenza, most referred to as “the flu”, is a viral infection that tends to be particularly aggressive.
Every year, the influenza “strain” changes – some years for the better, some for the worst.
What happens when my child gets the flu?
These children tend to present with fever, body aches, coughing and can progress quite quickly to pneumonia.
Flu vaccine
How can I keep my child from getting “the flu”?
Every year a new “Flu Shot” is formulated based on past years' strains, characteristics and trends that help create a vaccine that is successful at either keeping your child from ever getting the flu, or, if they do come down with the flu, the vaccine can act to aid your child’s natural defenses to lessen the severity of it.
Does the flu shot always work?
No, unfortunately every flu season’s vaccine created is not always on target and not very effective in protecting our children from getting the flu.
We have seen this with particular flu viruses, such as the “H1N1” flu or “swine flu” some years ago.
However, the benefit of getting a vaccine which may help your child avoid the flu altogether or aid in your child’s natural defenses to battle the flu far outweighs the potential untoward side effects that can occur.
Can my child get the flu from the flu vaccine?
Your child CANNOT get the flu from the injectable form of the flu shot.
However, they may experience symptoms that are consistent with a “flu-like" illness.
To note: these symptoms will generally subside between 24-72 hours.
Should my child get the flu shot?
Unless your child has a history of a “bonafede contraindication” to getting this vaccine, such as a history of anaphylaxis to the vaccine in the past (a life-threatening allergic reaction that swells your airway rendering it either very difficult or impossible to breath) your child, starting by 6 months of age, should get the flu shot yearly when it becomes available in Jamaica.