“How can I help my toddler with a cold?”
My toddler has a cold. What can I give him? Will it go on its own?
2 Answers
Most common colds are caused by viruses. Most viruses that invade the respiratory tract do not require any antibiotics but only symptomatic treatment. These viruses like to attack the upper respiratory tract causing cough, congestion, and runny nose. They like cool moist environments. So giving your child warm liquids helps kill viruses in the respiratory tract. Vicks Vapor Rub has been proven also to work better than any cough syrup. Other recommendations are age appropriate cough syrups by Zarbees to help with symptoms.
It will go away on its own. In general it is better not to give him/her oral over-the-counter medications due to low efficacy and side effects. The important treatment is to keep the nose clear for breathing. If there is heavy or profuse nasal discharge you can use a suction bulb available at any drugstore or Amazon to remove it every few hours. If there is also a lot of nasal swelling you can treat this with 2-3 saline nose drops every few hours. Available at your drugstore or Amazon.
