Treating Your Child’s Cold or Fever

How can you soothe and treat your child's cold?

Use this quick pictorial Q&A guide to see how to soothe your sick child at home and how to safely give over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to ease a fever, runny nose, sore throat, or other common cold symptoms.

What should I do if my child has a fever?

Pediatricians consider a fever significant when it's above 100.4 degrees. Call your pediatrician if your child is younger than 12 months and has a fever; has other symptoms along with the fever; is a toddler who has had a fever for more than two days; or is an older child with a fever for three or more days. In other cases, it's usually safe to use children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Never give a child aspirin -- it poses a risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness that affects the liver and brain.

What else can I do to bring down my child’s temperature?

A sponge bath with lukewarm water may help. Never use cold water, ice, or rubbing alcohol. Dress your child lightly and don’t pile on blankets. Watch for signs of dehydration. Call the doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if your infant has dry diapers, a dry mouth or tongue, or is not feeding well. For an older child, call the doctor if he appears dehydrated, is not urinating enough, or is not drinking well.

When do I need to call my pediatrician?

Aside from fever and dehydration, call your pediatrician if your child is younger than 12 months and you think he has the flu; has yellow or green nasal mucus; any discharge after 10 days, or discharge coming from the eyes. Go to the emergency room if your child has trouble breathing, is acting very sick, refuses to eat or drink, has a rash, or you are concerned.

Will chicken soup really help my child's cold?

Yes. Some studies show chicken soup may help reduce inflammation. If nothing else, it's nutritious and can help prevent dehydration. Also give plenty of other fluids, like water, milk, or an electrolyte solution. Other home remedies to try: Inhaled steam from a hot shower or a cool mist vaporizer may help a stuffy nose. Menthol chest rubs can help loosen