COUGH AND COLD IN KIDS: A small matter of big concern

The change of season always signals the onset of cough and cold in children. Each and every kid is prone to this on an average of 5 times in an year. It might sound as a simple disease but the ill effects it causes on kids as well as on parents is a matter of great concern .

Cold and cough is a viral infection which cannot be treated by any antibiotics. It follows it’s own course and the symptoms subside after 4 to 7 days. Your kid’s body gets infected over and over again because it is caused by 200 different viruses. So. even if you develop immunity against one or more there are many more around ready to reinfect you over and over again. Th kids are most susceptible to this infection up to the age of 2 years. Thereafter the frequency tends to reduce.

There are very common symptoms of cold and cough in children. It can range from watery mucus running from nose, sore throat, headache, fever and irritability. Theses symptoms get more intense in the night when the kid lies down to sleep. The clogged nose makes breathing difficult for the child. It is very normal for the child to show constant irritation, cry and tend to cling to parents. In most severe cases it can end up in sinuses and lead to severe ear, nose and throat infections.

Prevention of cold is very difficult. The cold virus can stay alive for long on various objects around that increases the probability of infection manifolds. Antibiotics are of no help because hep to fight against bacterial infection but as stated earlier cold and cough is a viral infection.

In case of extreme requirements mild anti allergic syrups can be prescribed but this should be done only under the prescription of a child specialist. Cough syrups can also be used to soothe the effects.

Apart from these there are also certain home remedies that can be used to provide relief.These are considered as safe measures that have minimal side effects.Some of them are:

1).VICKS VAPORUB: This is a commonly available ointment which helps a lot to provide relief. Apply vicks vaporub on the feet of kids and then cover it with socks.This really helps to wean the effects of cold. Applying it on chest and throat also helps. It can be applied on nose but some kids get irritated so if it is done it must be done with great caution.

2). CAMPHOR AND COCONUT OIL MASSAGE: Gentle massage with slight warm camphor and coconut oil greatly helps to relieve chest congestion. The massage will also help the child to sleep better.

3).GINGER AND HONEY: Ginger helps a great deal to cure constant cough. When mixed with honey it helps to cure dry cough. If the child cannot take ginger as such it is better to grate some and extract the juice. The juice can then be mixed with honey and given to the kid.

4). ALMONDS AND JAIFAL: These are important warm substances that help to reduce the symptoms. make a paste of almond with a small amount of jaifal and give it to the kid. It will create wonders and relieve your child.

5). KESAR: Though a bit expensive this is a real warm substance. Mix it in your child’s milk and give it to him. It really helps to relieve congestion.

6). MUSTARD OIL: Gentle massage with warm mustard oil alone or mixed with garlic on chest and whole body will surely help to reduce the ill effects of cold.

7) STEAM: Though this method can be a bit discomforting to the kid it can really help to reduce running nose. If the child can tolerate adding some vicks can also help a lot.

Here are some of the methods that can be really helpful in making the child to cope with the symptoms and discomfort caused by cold.