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 Childhood
Infections
My child has a
virus, how can I help her feel better?
While there is no "cure"
for infections caused by a virus, there are things you can do to help your
child feel better until the virus runs its course:
To relieve stuffy
nose
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Thin
the mucus using saline nose drops. Ask your pediatrician which ones to
use. Never use nonprescription nose drops that contain any medicine.
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Clear
your baby's nose with a suction bulb. Squeeze the bulb first, then gently
put the rubber tip into one nostril and slowly release the bulb. This
suction will draw the clogged mucus out of the nose. This works best for
babies younger than 6 months.
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Use
a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room. This helps to moisten the
air and clear your child's nasal passages. Be sure to clean the humidifier
often.
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Give
your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your pediatrician for the right
dosage for your child's age and size. Don't give aspirin to your child
because it has been associated with Reye syndrome, a disease that affects
the liver and the brain. Check with your pediatrician first before giving
any other cold medicines.
If your child's virus
doesn't seem to go away, or seems to get worse, call your pediatrician. Your
pediatrician will let you know what the best treatment is for your child.
In some cases, all you may need to do is make sure your child gets plenty
of rest and eats a balanced diet. Other times, your child may need medicine.
Most infections can be treated at home. However, if an infection becomes severe,
your child may need to see the pediatrician and, rarely, go to the hospital.
Prevention
Though there is no way
to keep your child away from germs, there are some steps you can take to help
prevent them from spreading, including
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Make
sure everyone washes his or her hands. Regular hand washing helps prevent
the spread of germs.
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Keep
your child away from anyone who has a cold, fever, or runny nose.
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Avoid
sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, toothbrushes, washcloths, or towels
with anyone who has a cold, fever, or runny nose.
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Wash
dishes and utensils in hot, soapy water.
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Don't
smoke around your child.
Published online: 3/07
Source: Common Childhood Infections (Copyright © 2005 American
Academy of Pediatrics)
Healthcare professionals
may order
this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Baby and
Young Child: Birth to Age 5. To order a copy of this book visit the AAP
Bookstore.
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The information contained
in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care
and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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