What should I do if my child has a cold?

Most colds don't cause serious illness and will get better over time. Cold symptoms can be treated with certain over-the-counter medicines, but some of these should not be used in young children. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child over-the-counter cold medicine.

What treatments are helpful for children?

• Over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen (one brand: Children's Tylenol) and ibuprofen (one brand: Children's Motrin) can help with fever and discomfort. Refer to the package insert for dosing instructions.

• Honey helps with cough, but it shouldn't be used in children younger than one year.

• Saline nose spray helps a runny or stuffy nose.

• An herbal medicine called Pelargonium sidoides (one brand: Umcka Coldcare) may help with cough and can help your child breathe better through the nose.

• Menthol rub (one brand: Vick's VapoRub) helps with cough and can help your child breathe better through the nose. But it has a strong smell that some children don't like. It can be used for children two years and older.

What treatments are not helpful for children?

• Antibiotics are not helpful because they don't kill viruses. Cold symptoms are almost always caused by viruses.

• Codeine

• Echinacea (ek-eh-NAY-shuh)

• Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines

• Steam

• Steroid nose sprays (one brand: Flonase)

• Vitamin D