Don’t Fall for These Myths About Common Wintertime Illnesses
By Christine Climer
Many parents dread wintertime because
of the illnesses that tend to be more common during the cold season.
We are barraged at every turn by misinformation in the media,
fueling our anxieties.
An objective look at some of this
season’s claims shows much less to worry about than many
health reports in the news might lead you to believe. Don’t
fall prey to these common myths about common wintertime illnesses.
High fevers cause brain damage and seizures.
False! A fever cannot cause brain damage
unless it climbs over about 107º Fahrenheit. Fever can create
febrile seizures. These are caused by how fast your child’s
body temperature rises, not by how high the temperature goes.
Fever helps our immune systems
get rid of infection, so in most cases, it is best not to interfere.
Your child’s behavior is the best indicator of how severe
his illness is -- not the number on the thermometer.
Fever increases the amount of fluid
your child needs, so keep him well hydrated. (See Karen Prior’s
suggestions for increasing fluid intake in our Ask the Experts
section) Your child’s appetite may be limited during fever,
but resist the urge to offer sugary treats to tempt him to eat.
Focus on fluids, and offer small portions of nutritious foods
frequently.
Kids generally feel bad when they
run fever, so listen to those little bodies. Keep them in bed
or another quiet, restful place until the fever is gone. Low stress
is key to a healthy immune system. Avoid alcohol rubs, unnecessary
baths or other activities that might cause the shivers.
Nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin
C, selenium and zinc are known to support the body’s immune
function. You might choose an appropriate multivitamin and mineral
supplement, or simple add these nutrients to your diet. Include
plenty of orange and green produce, whole grains and nuts, dairy
products or meats.
Herbalists often recommend herbs
that have historically been used for fever, including catnip,
yarrow and feverfew. Just remember that herbs are medicine too.
Take care to follow the instructions printed on the label or given
by your health care provider.
Ear infections always require
antibiotics.
False! Viruses can cause ear infections
as often as bacteria – and antibiotics do not work against
viruses. In fact, many of the bacteria that commonly cause ear
infections have learned how to survive antibiotics, so many medications
do not work against bacteria anymore either.
Because the body can fight most
ear infections all by itself, many doctors choose a “watchful
waiting” approach. This approach prevents antibiotic resistance
from worsening. The doctor simply waits it out a few days, then
checks to see if the situation is improving or if it has resolved
without any treatment.
A couple of drops of olive oil
warmed to body temperature and dropped into the ear canal helps
equalize pressure in the ear and eases pain. Herbalists may recommend
adding mullein or garlic to the oil, straining before use. Applying
warm or cold packs (depending on your child’s preference)
or massaging gently around the ear can also be helpful. Lying
down increases pain and pressure within the middle ear, so try
to keep your child as upright as possible.
A few more strategies: Some parents
find that a visit to a pediatric chiropractor can help ear infections.
Babies who are still nursing or bottle-feeding may prefer to eat
smaller amounts at more frequent intervals. And finally, research
has recently shown that people who consume probiotic bacteria
(lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) in their diets are less likely
to get ear infections.
Cold medicines, antibiotics
and humidification relieve congestion and coughs. There
are times when this statement may be either true or false.
A cough isn’t just a nuisance;
it is an important reflex that keeps irritants and germs from
getting into the lungs. While a cough may seem bothersome, it
can keep mucus drainage from getting down into the tiny places
in the lungs where it can contribute to worsening infection and
interfere with your child’s ability to get enough oxygen.
Most respiratory infections in
children are viral, so unless your laboratory results indicate
otherwise, do not pressure your doctor for antibiotics. It’s
also important to recognize that discharge from runny noses may
change color. Yellow-green mucus is actually part of the normal
course of an illness and does not necessarily mean that your child
has a sinus infection, unless it persists longer than two weeks.
If irritation and inflammation
create a dry cough that interferes with sleep, sometimes a cough
suppressant can be helpful at bedtime. If your child has a wet
cough because of mucus, however, cough suppressants are undesirable.
Antihistamines are commonly given to dry up mucus. If your child
has a lot of mucus production caused by allergies, antihistamines
can sometimes offer some relief -- but they just aren’t
effective with colds. They thicken the mucus, making it harder
for your child to clear it out of the airway.
Both cough suppressants and antihistamines
make kids drowsy, which can be more of a nuisance during the day
than the cough or congestion themselves. Decongestants can offer
comfort if your child is so congested that he cannot eat or sleep,
but these medications are notorious for hyper-activating children
-- so bedtime may be a challenge.
Breathing humidified air can soothe
airways and help expel mucus, but be cautious about running a
vaporizer or humidifier in your child’s bedroom and never
run them constantly. Not only can the equipment harbor germs,
but the high humidity they create contributes to the growth of
molds and dust mites. If your child is sensitive to these, her
symptoms may actually worsen. A safer approach is to run humidifiers
and vaporizers intermittently, or steam up the bathroom by running
a hot shower and take your child into the bathroom to breathe
the air for 10 to 15 minutes.
If your child has a barking cough,
try taking him outside to breathe cool air for about 10 to 15
minutes. Saline nasal irrigation also relieves congestion. You
can make your own nose spray at home.
Saline
1 teaspoon canning and pickling salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups purified water
Bring water to a boil; add dry
ingredients and dissolve.Cool to room temperature. Store covered
for up to 48 hours.
Instill a few drops into each nostril
and then suction with a bulb syringe, which can often be found
on the ear care or baby care aisles of your pharmacy.
Drinking plenty of fluids is the
most important thing to help clear mucus and keep mucous membranes
moist. Warm teas and broths make soothing choices. As mentioned
above, plenty of immune-supporting nutrients are vital to healing.
Vitamin C is also an antihistamine, so make sure your children
get plenty, especially if they have allergies.
People who consume probiotics are
less likely to experience either respiratory infections or allergies.
A gentle upper body massage after a warm bath helps children relax,
soothes soreness and increases circulation. Sleeping with the
head elevated is helpful.
Your herbalist may recommend herbs
that have been historically used to soothe irritated mucus membranes,
expel mucus, clear infection and open airways. These may include
things like mint, eucalyptus, horehound, thyme, mullein, evening
primrose and echinacea.
Children with allergies are more
susceptible to respiratory infections. Keep environmental allergens
low by vacuuming and dusting frequently, changing air filters
monthly, using allergen barriers on beds and pillows, washing
bedding weekly in hot water and maintaining humidity below 50
percent.
When
should you be concerned?
Seek medical care immediately if your child:
• has a seizure lasting
longer than five minutes or a seizure for the first time
• runs any fever at all and is under 2 months old
• has a temperature of at least 101º and is 2 to
4 months old
• has a temperature over 105º
• does not stop crying, seems confused or is unable to
wake up
• seems to have a stiff neck when the head is bent towards
the tummy
• has a blood-red or purple rash
• is having difficulty breathing (gasping for air, flesh
between ribs sucks in when the child inhales, flaring nostrils)
or takes more than 60 breaths per minute
• has unusual drooling (i.e., not related to teething)
• is coughing up blood or has bloody stools
• has blue- or gray-colored lips
• has signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, no urine
in the past eight hours)
• is under 12 months old, has diarrhea and has vomited
three or more times in 24 hours
• has diarrhea more than eight times in the past eight
hours
Call your health care provider
during office hours if your child:
• is under 2 year old and
has a temperature over 104º
• complains of burning with urination
• has been running fever for more than 72 hours
• seemed to be getting better but then started getting
worse
• had a fever that went away for at least 24 hours, then
returned
• is under 3 months old and has had a cough for more than
three days
• has had diarrhea or a cough for more than two weeks
• has been vomiting for more than 24 hours
• has had a green/yellow runny nose for more than two
weeks
© Christine Climer
Christine Climer is
a registered nurse with experience in pulmonary disease, pediatrics,
home health and hospice services. Also trained in early childhood
education, she is currently executive director and child care
nurse for an early childhood health promotion organization. She
lives with her husband and three children (including a set of
twins) in Texas and enjoys researching health issues and gardening.
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