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Health & Safety
By Alex White, M.D.
The season of summer is approaching. With all the warm weather activities coming up, this is a time of excitement. Although, October through March yields the highest number of infections. summer is also a time of the inevitable cold. Children are more susceptible to illness than adults. It is estimated that a child will have an average of six colds per year and even more if he’s enrolled in daycare. With a better understanding of what a cold is and the symptoms to expect, you can spare yourself the expense of running to the doctor each and every time your child sneezes. It is a misconception that antibiotics are required for each and every “cold.” Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can be harmful to your child as well as society. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been trying to educate the public and encourage physicians to decrease the use of antibiotics. A recent article in the American Family Physician states that, “There is never an indication for antibiotic treatment for the co
In order to become more comfortable with your child’s illness, it helps to have a good understanding of the normal course of the common cold. This way, deviations can be detected and then a parent knows when to seek medical assistance. The common cold or viral illness has a usual timeline with characteristic symptoms.
The mitral symptoms include nasal stuffiness and throat irritation. Within a few hours, runny nose and sneezing begin. This is also when the headache, body aches, decreased appetite and fever begin. The fever can range from 102 to 103 degrees for the first couple of days (sometimes even higher). The temperature then typically drops to 100 to 101 degrees for two to three more days and by the fifth day, most fevers are gone. Cough begins in the first day or two and occurs in 60 to 80 percent of colds. One to three days after the cold begins, the nasal drainage goes from clear to thicker and more yellow-green. The runny nose can last from seven to 10 days and the cough typically lasts from 10 days to two weeks. Parents tend to think that if there is a fever, yellow-green mucous or cough, then there must be a need for antibiotics. However, multiple studies show that antibiotics neither shorten the duration of a cold nor prevent bacterial complications. Another clue for parents is that if a child’s friends, c
There are a few barriers to children receiving appropriate treatment. One of these is an understanding of what is normal during the course of an illness. Another big problem is when a patient or parent of a patient has a preconceived expectation of what is needed. Many parents arrive at the doctors office saying, “My child needs an antibiotic,” well before the child is even examined. As a result, many physicians will then try to “find” a diagnosis that would warrant an antibiotic, just to placate the parent. This is one of the reasons children are overtreated with antibiotics. What physicians need to understand is that good communication is essential. Even if there is a demand initially for antibiotics, he/she can explain the findings upon exam that do not support antibiotic use. Then a parent should be told what to watch for in order to have the child rechecked.
Over-the-counter medications, such as children’s acetamine or ibuprofen, alone or in combination can be used to reduce fever. As most parents know, aspirin should be avoided because of the risk of Peyes Syndrome. Age-appropriate cold preparation can also help a child feel better but doesn’t reduce the duration of illness.
Parents and medical professionals can work together to reduce the number of inappropriate antibiotic administrations to children. More than likely, a child who receives antibiotics when such treatment is not needed will not be directly hurt by taking the medication, but over time, bacterial resistance patterns will develop. Later on, when an antibiotic is really needed, it may not be as effective.
Of course, parents should always rely on their instincts when they think there is something wrong with their child. Whenever health concerns arise, parents should quickly contact their medical professional. The information presented here is not intended to interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, but rather to encourage more open two-way communication between parents and physicians.