Released: December 17, 2003

Colds, Flu: Parents Encouraged to Monitor Children’s Health

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Colds and flu are viral infections, and general recommendations include plenty of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers or decongestants, said Mike Bradshaw, Kansas State University Research and Extension health and safety specialist.

"Use care with over-the-counter products, however. Read labels, follow instructions, and consult with a health care professional if questions arise," he said.

Children should not be given aspirin, which can cause Reye’s Syndrome, a condition that causes an inflammation of the brain and liver that can be fatal, Bradshaw said.

He urges parents to monitor their children’s health closely during the cold and flu season and to consult their family physician or health care professional if any of the following complications develop:

* Rapid breathing;

* Wheezing or difficulty in breathing;

* Marked irritability or lethargy;

* Earache that lasts more than an hour;

* Cough that produces a thick, foul-smelling mucous with a rusty or greenish cast;

* More than a mild sore throat;

* Fever (up to 102 F) that lasts more than three or four days;

* Fever that rises above 103 F; and,

* A child who seems to improve, but then suffers setback, with symptoms re-appearing.

In children, cold and flu symptoms can hang on for two weeks, Bradshaw said.

(For more information on general health and safety, contact the local K-State Research and Extension office or visit Extension’s website: www.oznet.ksu.edu . For medical care, contact a physician or health care service provider promptly.)

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News