Children, in particular, are particularly susceptible to developing cold and flu symptoms throughout the winter. It’s crucial to know how to soothe your child while they’re in pain rapidly. Start fighting off a cold or the flu by checking your medicine cabinet to see if you’re stocked up on the essentials before you need them.
During this time of year, what should parents have on hand when the flu and colds are rampant?
Be prepared to check your child’s health and provide comfort from a cold or the flu with the following items:
1. Medication to Reduce Fever
If your child develops a fever, having some children’s ibuprofen (Motrin) or children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol) on hand can be helpful. While these drugs won’t address the underlying issue, they will help quickly reduce your child’s temperature. Here are some things you must remember, parents:
- Infants younger than three months should always have a fever checked by a pediatrician.
- Before using any over-the-counter or prescription medication for fever, check the expiration date.
- You can find the appropriate dosage for a child of a given age and weight by consulting the label or speaking with a pediatrician.
- Never administer ibuprofen to a baby who is younger than six months old.
- Children under the age of 18 should never be given aspirin. Children are particularly susceptible to its potentially harmful effects.
2. Items for Cleaning, Such as Hand Soap and Disinfectants
Protect your child from getting sick during winter by teaching them good hand hygiene habits. It’s essential to keep antibacterial soap in the bathroom and hand sanitizer in the car and on the kids’ backpacks at all times to prevent the spread of germs. Use disinfectant wipes or sprays on commonly handled items to stop the spread of germs.
Other medicines can aid children who have a cough or a stuffy nose.
Keep the following supplies on hand to alleviate your child’s cold or flu symptoms, such as congestion, sore throat, and cough.
- Applying a vapor treatment to the chest before bedtime has been shown to alleviate nighttime coughing.
- Children aged six and up should use Afrin nasal spray once nightly for no more than two to three days if they are experiencing severe congestion.
- A cool-mist humidifier is recommended since dry air can aggravate a child’s cough and congestion. You might think about putting a cool-mist humidifier in your kid’s bedroom.
3. A Reliable Thermometer
If you notice your child is overheating, sweating excessively, shaking, or being irritable, you should use a thermometer to know whether or not your child is sick. Your doctor may recommend taking your temperature by placing a digital thermometer in their mouth or an infrared thermometer on their forehead.
4. A Nasal Bulb Syringe or Aspirator and Saline Spray
You can utilize a suction bulb or nasal aspirator to remove congestion from the nose. For babies, it’s best to suction them before they eat, before bed, and when they wake up. If your infant is too young to blow their nose correctly, you may wish to use an air purifier.
Another technique that can help release mucus and relieve congestion in children is letting them breathe in the steam from a warm bath or shower.
5. Treatments for a Sore Throat
If you have a sore throat, it’s best to treat it with something you can find in your kitchen. For older children, warm beverages such as hot water with lemon, broth, or caffeine-free tea can help reduce pain and remove mucus. For a sore throat, youngsters may prefer popsicles or other cool treats.
Conclusion
Parents need to be prepared for the flu season. There are five things that every parent should have on hand: a thermometer, fever-reducing medication, plenty of fluids, a humidifier, and tissues. With these things, parents can help their children feel better and manage their symptoms.
Do you need pediatric urgent care in Orlando, FL? You can count on Your Kid’s Urgent Care to offer your child timely and professional pediatric urgent care services. We offer comprehensive care for infants, toddlers, and young adults (up to the age of 21), including a full spectrum of specialty treatments. If you have a flu-like emergency, reach out to us immediately!
