210 – Supportive Care for Colds

Dr. Carole Keim discusses all the supportive care options available for your child’s cold, beyond the over-the-counter medications. She details alternative medicines and things you can do to alleviate your child’s cold symptoms.

Most viruses don’t have specific treatments in Western medicine. We have COVID and flu vaccines, but beyond that, there isn’t much medically to be done for a cold. Dr. Keim not only explains what alternative options are available, she breaks down exactly what each virus does and what symptoms manifest in your child. This is a truly valuable resource episode.

In this episode:

• Overview of colds 
• Fever  
• Congestion and ear pain 
• Runny nose
• Cough 
• Immune boosters 
• Sample regimens 

Overview 00:51

• Viral infections – no specific treatment for most 
• Many types and subtypes of viruses
• Typical course: illness lasts 7-10 days, peak on day 4, cough can linger for up to 2 weeks after
• Red flags: respiratory distress, dehydration (dry lips/tongue, decreased urine output, lethargy), fever for 5 or more days in a row, fever that goes away for more than 24 hours and then comes back (can indicate a secondary infection such as UTI/AOM/pneumonia)

Fever 04:40

• Acetaminophen / paracetamol 
• Ibuprofen
• These will also help with systemic symptoms – pain, body aches, lack of energy, lack of appetite, trouble sleeping.
• These do NOT treat cough, congestion, or runny nose 
• Magic socks – wet cotton socks, cover with wool socks before bed 
• I don’t recommend potatoes, garlic, or onions on feet – I’ve seen some burns 

Congestion and ear pain 09:01 

• Eustachian tubes drain at the back of the nasopharynx, so congestion leads to fluid buildup in ears, so decongestants treat both
• Medications for adults and children over age 6: pseudoephedrine by mouth, oxymetazoline nose spray
• Children under age 6: nothing for congestion; ibuprofen for ear pain (x48h before abx)
• Saline nose spray or sinus wash – hypertonic saline
• Ginger, spicy foods, steam, vick’s 
• Oils –  eucalyptus, peppermint, menthol, breathe blend 
• Sinus drain/massage – OMT or chiropractic – tapping on sinuses and pressing along lymphatic channels
• Acupuncture 
• Onion earmuffs for ear pain 

Runny nose 18:43

• Antihistamines DO NOT work.  
• Use saline spray to keep the mucus cleared out.  Can use bulb sucker if boogers are stuck.
• Wash your hands every time you wipe their nose 
• Color of mucus has to do with the amount of inflammation and not necessarily whether it’s a bacterial or viral infection 
• If mucus is very thick and seems to be stuck, can use guaifenesin (Mucinex) to help them clear it out.  Kids almost never need this and it works by causing them to cough, so many parents avoid it because it makes their child seem worse.

Cough 21:45

• Mucinex causes more cough
• Dextromethorphan, codeine, and similar anti-cough agents work by decreasing respiratory drive and can cause children under age 6 to stop breathing 
• Antihistamines only work if it’s allergies, not for infections
• The only thing that has been shown to be both safe and effective in Western medicine trials is honey (and only for children older than 1 year because of the risk of botulism!) 
• Teach children to cough in their elbow 

Immune boosters 23:45

• Vitamin D – 400 units
• Vitamin C – 1000mg for adults; 100mg per 10 lbs 
• Zinc – 30-60mg for adults
• Echinacea – after exposure or at the onset of symptoms 
• Elderberry – syrup or gummies 
• Garlic
• Lemon juice 
• Fruits and veggies – 10 servings per day, or supplement 
• The vitamins and supplements my family takes is in my link tree 

Sample regimens 29:10

• RSV and/or common cold 29:13
• Tylenol/ibuprofen, saline nose spray/drops before eating and sleeping, can bulb suck after each time (or not), bring them into the bathroom when you shower so they can breathe the steam, put vicks or essential oils on yourself or the shower floor before getting in, use a nighttime humidifier if you live in a dry climate, give vitamin C and D, zinc, echinacea, elderberry, consider chiropractic and acupuncture 
• Keep baby hydrated – it’s fine if they don’t eat anything at all for days, but they need to be drinking water and have at least a little sugar and salt each day.  If they have breastmilk or formula that is plenty, they don’t need food on top of that.  It’s VERY hard to eat with RSV because of the congestion.
• If breastfeeding, take immune boosters and keep breastfeeding as much as possible.  If you’re sick, wear a mask so you don’t cough or sneeze onto your baby.  
• Do NOT allow children with “just a little runny  nose” around your baby – RSV causes very mild symptoms in children and adults, but can cause about 1% of babies to end up hospitalized 
• Do NOT share bulb suckers or pacifiers between children…