Thoughts on Surviving Cold and Flu Season

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It’s here!  Cold and flu season has arrived in full force.  In the pediatric clinic I work in, we often take guesses about which week our cold and flu visits will pick up.   We often see a spike about 2-3 weeks after school starts up in the fall.  Just long enough for those beloved children of ours to cough, hack and puke all over one another.  It’s a good thing they’re so cute because they sure can bring home quite a wide range of germs.

In the big picture, we know that exposure to different viruses can build up antibodies and create strong immune systems.  But when you’re in the thick of cold number five of the year and no one is sleeping again, it can just feel overwhelmingly long. 

This post is in no way meant to replace talking with your medical provider if your child is currently sick.  Every child and situation is so different and should be addressed individually.  You should never hesitate to call your office if you are concerned – I always tell parents that their parenting instincts/concerns should never be underestimated.  You know your child better than anyone else. 

However, I can walk through some very basic equipment and information that might be helpful.  I will soon be posting about ways to strengthen the immune system and avoid getting sick in the first place, so I won’t address that here.  Going into sick season there are a few pieces of equipment that are always good to have on hand. The first, most helpful thing you can do is keep a record of your child’s symptoms. This information helps you communicate efficiently with your medical provider. You can grab a bundle of symptom tracking sheets (pictured above) here for free.

In terms of equipment to have on hand, these are helpful items:

• A good thermometer. Any time you call your provider’s office they will want to know your child’s temperature so it’s helpful to make sure you have a way to take it before you need it.  I own several types.  I have one that scans the forehead.  It is less accurate than other ways of taking a temperature but I personally like that I can get a ballpark idea of the temperature without waking my kid up at night.  If it’s high enough that I’m concerned, I can wake them up to check it another way.  But if it’s normal, I will recheck in a few hours.  I also have one that I can use to check an under the arm temperature or an oral temperature.  Rectal temperatures are always the most accurate method so it’s a good idea to have one of those also.  But if you’re concerned enough about your kid to be checking a rectal temperature, you’re likely already in touch with your pediatrician. I know how the days and hours can run together when your kids are sick so I’ve created a temperature log to help you keep track of your child’s fevers. This information will be helpful to have when you call to speak to a nurse or bring your child in to be seen by a provider. This printable is free and you can copy as many as you need for your family, office or students!

• A humidifier.  This is safe to use for any age child and adds extra moisture into the air which is so helpful to reduce nighttime coughing.

• Suction, suction, suction.  Clearing out the nasal passages allows for much easier nursing/feeding for babies and better sleep in general for kids of all ages.  Adding a few drops of saline to the nostrils before suctioning can be helpful too in loosening up some of the mucous.

•     Tylenol and ibuprofen.  It’s hard enough to have a kid spike a fever in the night.  It’s worse to have to drive to the pharmacy at midnight. So, I always recommend having these medications around.  Of note: the manufacturer does NOT recommend ibuprofen be given for babies under six months.   I often get questions about the difference between the two.  Tylenol is also known as acetaminophen.  It can be given at any age, however you should call your provider’s office to check on dosing if your child is under two years old. Tylenol works in two ways: to reduce pain and fever. Ibuprofen is also called Motrin or Advil.  It works in three ways – to reduce pain, fever and swelling.  This is why it’s often the choice for things like sprains or strains because it helps to decrease swelling.

•   Warm, clear fluids.  Similarly to when we drink warm tea when we’re sick, warm clear fluids can help thin out mucous for babies and young kids when they’re snotty and coughing.  This can be half apple juice/half water or something like Pedialyte. I keep both apple juice and Pedialyte in the pantry for when sickness hits.  I always give my kiddos something warm and clear to drink before bed if they have colds because it decreases nighttime coughing.

 I know as a nurse and as a mama that this season can feel long, isolating and exhausting.  I feel like any plans that we make between November and March have to be held with loose hands because likely one or more of my three kids will be sick!  But I hope that these tips are helpful as you navigate this winter season.