Lifestyle and home remedies

Although it may not be possible to shorten the length of your child's illness, you may be able to make your child more comfortable. Here are some tips to try:

• Humidify the air. If the air in your child's room is dry, a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer can moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds.
• Keep your child upright. Being in an upright position usually makes breathing easier.
• Have your child drink liquids. To prevent dehydration, give your child plenty of clear fluids to drink, such as water or juice. Your child may drink more slowly than usual, because of the congestion. Frequently offer small amounts of fluid.
• Try saline nose drops to ease congestion. You can buy these drops over-the-counter (OTC). They're effective, safe and nonirritating, even for children. To use them, put several drops into one nostril, then immediately bulb suction that nostril (but don't push the bulb too far in). Repeat the process in the other nostril.
• Consider OTC pain relievers. For treatment of fever or pain, ask your doctor about giving your child infants' or children's over-the-counter fever and pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) as a safer alternative to aspirin. Aspirin is not recommended in children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin, as they have a higher risk of Reye's syndrome.
• Maintain a smoke-free environment. Smoke can worsen symptoms of respiratory infections. If a family member smokes, ask him or her to smoke outside of the house and outside of the car.

Don't use over-the-counter medicines, except for fever reducers and pain relievers, to treat coughs and colds in children younger than 6 years old. Also, consider avoiding use of these medicines for children younger than 12 years old.