The 2nd grade cough

My 2nd grader has been sick for five days now! It is the worst cough ever! You can actually hear how back it hurts! My husband is the football coach and he had so many kids sick on Tuesday, he said he should have cancelled practice. Now I am wondering if I should take my little one to the doctor even though I know it's a virus that needs to run its course. Ugh? What would you do? Does anyone else have little ones with this horrible cough? Oh and he has a fever too...

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Cough and Cold Warning

The American Academy of Pediatrics says you shouldn't be giving over the counter cough and cold medicine to kids under 2-years old. However, the bottle simply says, ask a doctor in the 2 year old column. That's because the medicine used be to considered safe for even the tiniest babies. After severe side effects, including death, the recommendation changed. Some pediatricians say not to give it to kids under 6 years old.

However, when your child cannot sleep because he is coughing constantly, it is hard not to give it to him! I know I have sat in bed and listened to my little one cough and sob and wanted so hard to give him medicine. Doctors say to use a humidifier, Tylenol and ibuprofen.

There is also the issue that some people are saying the kids who had bad side effects from over the counter cough and cold medicine were given too much. That makes some parents wonder whether they can give their child under 2 a small dosage. That's where this story comes in:

Figuring out how to soothe a sick child can be a daunting task for parents. Now, a new study shows that many caregivers are having trouble understanding instructions on the proper age for children to receive cold and cough medicines.

About a year ago, the food and drug administration came out with an advisory saying it was too risky for children under the age of two to be given over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.
Now, a study shows that many parents are confused about how to read drug labels and still think it's appropriate for young children to take these medicines.

A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics looked at how well about 180 parents and caregivers followed instructions for children's cough and cold medicines. The medicines currently on the market are designed for children ages 4 and older. But the study found that the majority of parents misread the labels and

Responded that infants younger than two could use the medicines even though the box instructions recommend asking your doctor before giving the drugs to a baby under two years of age.

The researchers suggest that pediatric cough and cold products need new labeling with graphics that are less confusing and written instructions that are easier to understand. overdosing children on these medicines can be dangerous leading to convulsions, rapid heart rate and decreased levels of consciousness.

What are your thoughts about the recommendations for cough and cold medince? Do you give it your kids?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Cough and Cold Medicine

If you have kids, you need to read this one. Please share the information with other parents you know.

From ABC:

Just as cough and cold season is beginning, there is a new warning tonight for parents from the makers of popular over-the-counter remedies. Ten percent of children take the medicines in any given week, but tonight, the industry is telling parents NOT to give them to children under 4.

Both the industry-- and its critics, agree, today's move is a big step forward. But those who worry about the safety of cough and cold medicines for children, say why stop at age 4. Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, the Baltimore City Health Commissioner said,"We still think there's no evidence that these products work and they are potentially unsafe for kids under age 6.

In some cases,the medicines have affected a child's breathing and heart rhythms and caused seizures. Last year, they were banned for children under age 2 .The industry says today's move is based on new information. Linda Suydam with the Consumer Health Care Products Association said, "We've looked at the data and 2 and 3 year old have have the majority of adverse events, even though the number is very rare.

Parents are likely to remain confused by all this because old out-of-date labels will linger on the shelves. Even today, we found packages without the warning against using this on children under age 2, which was agreed to a year ago.

Moms and dads have relied on the medicines for decades. But they've never been tested on children, and pediatricians are increasingly telling parents to steer clear. Dr. Dale Coddington from Children's National Medical Center said,"Some believe the industry's latest move in an attempt to head off tougher restrictions -something under consideration by the government.

I am bummed about this. I try not to give my kids medicine unless they really need it, but no cold medicine EVER is going to be tough. Humidifier, pain relievers and salt water nasal spray will have to do.

Will you stop giving your kids under four cough and cold medicine after reading this?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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