Managing the flu among children
The common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) that can be caused by several types of viruses.
Children can be infected with cold when they come in contact with virus-infected droplets of saliva or mucus in the air when someone infected coughs, sneezes, or talks, or when they have direct contact with an infected person by touching contaminated objects, such as toys, which if not taken care of could lead to influenza.
Cold in children starts with a scratchy tickle feeling in the throat. Other symptoms of cold in the body include stuffy or runny nose, chills, weakness or tiredness, sore or dry throat, headaches, mild fever, muscle aches, chest congestion, loss of voice, and loss of appetite.
There is no medication for the common cold. Medical experts say the common cold is a “self-limiting illness.”
That is, it will resolve with time and proper management. The virus dies off naturally as the immune system fights off the infection. However, medical treatment can be taken to alleviate the symptoms associated with the cold. If an infected child doesn’t recover within a week, there’s a need for prompt medical attention, rather than ignorantly indulging in antibiotics in various forms. If the cold puts the child in a weak state, and makes them vulnerable to other infections, urgently take the child to see a doctor. Use drugs only as prescribed.
As a parent, guardian, or caregiver, you should keep the infected child hydrated; let them drink plenty of water and warm liquids you may need to use a humidifier to help ease nasal congestion before feeding the child and to also help them sleep better at night. To shorten the cold duration and avoid complications, allow the child to rest adequately and give them fruits and vitamin supplements from Vitabiotics.
More so, help the child maintain basic body hygiene by making sure their hands are washed regularly. Ensure their nails are trimmed; keep them away from sick people; remind them to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. They should also wear clothes that are suitable for the weather at the time. Keep the environment clean; use disinfectants to clean up your kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and floor.
Also, teach your children to sneeze into their bent elbow; they can form a good habit of coughing or sneezing into a tissue paper and disposing of it immediately.