Avoid Sickness this Winter

^{This blog post was submitted by Joan Littleford, a nurse with Davis Early Intervention.}

^{Managing Viral Infections}

Coughs, runny and stuffy noses, and other cold symptoms can make your child miserable — but they usually aren’t serious. Most are caused by viruses, and get better with time and rest. Antibiotics are rarely needed, and may do more harm than good.

Understanding your child’s symptoms

When viruses infect your child’s respiratory system (nose, throat, and chest), they can cause any or all of these symptoms:

                        runny or stuffy nose • headache

                        coughing • body aches

                        sore throat • fever

                        sneezing • chills

                        watery eyes • tiredness

It’s normal for the symptoms of viral infection to last up to 14 days, sometimes even longer. For most children, the worst is over in about 10 days, although the cough may last for 3 weeks. Remember, antibiotics won’t make a viral illness get better faster. Usually, they just need to run their course. It’s best to just wait and watch

What can I do to help my child feel better?

A viral infection usually lasts only a week or two. But when your child is feeling rotten, this can seem like a long time! Here are some tips to help ease symptoms and help your child get better faster:

                        Rest. Resting is one of the best things your child can do to get better. Keep your child home from school or day care.

                        Drink lots of water and other fluids. Water thins mucus and helps ease coughs, stuffy noses, and sore throats. Other fluids — even milk — are usually okay too.

                        Use a humidifier. Use a cool mist humidifier around children

                Stay away from smoke. Smoke worsens symptoms and slows recovery. Don’t let anyone smoke in the house. And if you smoke, try to take a break for a few days, or smoke only outside.

How can I keep my family from getting sick?

Colds and other viral infections are common. Almost everyone has at least one cold a year — and kids often have as many as 12! To help limit the number of colds your family gets, follow these tips:

                Wash your hands often or use a sanitizing hand cleanser. And remind your children — and their caregivers — to wash their hands often, too. This is one of the best things you can do to stay well and prevent the spread of viruses.

                        Avoid crowds. If your child goes to day care, try to find a day care with fewer children in a room. And if you can, avoid crowded public places during cold and flu season.

                        Get a flu shot every year. Make sure everyone in your family does, too. It doesn’t prevent common colds and coughs — it only prevents the flu. But avoiding the flu has been proven to prevent both common and serious complications.

                Avoid smoke. If you smoke, do everything you can to quit. And avoid second-hand smoke

                 

Call your doctor about worsening symptoms or symptoms that are not getting better by 14 days.  A doctor can make sure nothing is seriously wrong, prescribe medicine if needed and explain what to do to feel better. 

(Taken from Intermountain Health Care website)

If you or your child are sick please remember to cancel your visit with your early intervention provider