Simple Cold Remedies

Babies in the early infancy are susceptible to illness. They experience discomforts, they tend to be hard to handle and prone to anxiety.

Causes:

• Babies catches cold when they are in the rain (according to my experience only)
• Prolonged exposure in the beach (accrdg. to my experience only)
• Changed of weather (accrdg.to my experience only)
• When in contact with someone who already have cold
• And mostly caused by different viruses

Signs and symptoms:

• stuffy/clogged nose
• runny nose
• teary eyes
• cough
• malaise
• hoarse voice
• low-grade fever

Treatment:
1. Increase fluid intake. It will keep the mucus less sticky. During the course of illness mostly they don't want to eat but as long as they void on regular basis, and drinks well, a couple of days without much solid food will be okay.
2. Use of saline drops. Place 2-3 drops of saline solutions on each nostril, one at a time and let it set for 10-20 seconds. It will relieve stuffy nose by liquefying the mucus.
3. Then suction it with a suction bulb. Do this as necessary/as needed (PRN).
4. Ask your doctor for the symptomatic treatment for fever (analgesia) and decongestants.do not self medicate.
5.In handling of an infant, use it a cardinal rule to every members of the household to hand wash properly with soap and water. For adults who are infected, they should limit their contact and sneeze away from the baby. Because sneezing towards the baby transmits the micro organisms they have.

When to call a Doctor?
If symptoms persist for 5-10 days or fever that lasts more than 3 days. See your Doctor immediately. This article discourages self diagnosis, self treatment and self medications. Consult your family physician if you have questions regarding your baby's health.

*colds -a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.(mosby's pocket dictionary,4rth edition)
*malaise - body weakness, distress or discomfort, often marking the onset of and persisting throughout a disease.( mosby's pocket dictionary,4rth edition)
*mucus - the slippery, viscous secretions of mucous membranes and glands, containing mucin, white blood cells, water, inorganic salts,and exfoliated cells. (mosby's pocket dictionary, 4rth edition)
* void - to empty or evacuate such as urine from the bladder. (mosby's pocket dictionary, 4rth edition)