FDA Warns Against Cold Medicine for Children Under 6

In January, an FDA panel recommended against the use of cold and cough medicine for children under the age of 6.

The FDA completed a review earlier last year that found 123 child deaths from decongestants and antihistamines between 1969 and 2006.

After a two-day hearing, the experts agreed that it is not appropriate to take data from adults and apply it to children, and called for new studies.

Cold Care the Natural Way

Even with treatment, our bodies have to do the work to fight off the pathogens. Over the counter cold medicines simply mask symptoms, allowing us to ignore the signals our bodies send us. Listening to our bodies, and following the guidelines listed below, gives us a competitive edge over the pathogens and helps us on our way to a speedy recovery.

Tips for a speedy recovery:

• Bed rest is of the utmost importance when you or your child is sick. Resting frees up your body's energy and allows it to fight pathogens more effectively. Don't push yourself. Rest! Rest! Rest!
• Stay well hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks such as soda or juice, which compromise your immune system. Drink warm or room temperature water.
• Avoid rich, greasy, sugary and overly spicy foods. Eat bland, lightly salted foods such as chicken soup.
• Stay warm and avoid drafts.
• Finally, use common sense. If fever is very high, symptoms are severe or last longer than you think they should, consult your doctor or TCM practitioner.