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Caring for kids with coldsCaring for kids with colds
Children can get up to 5-10 colds a year. Caring for kids with colds is tough: they sniffle, sneeze and feel miserable. However, antibiotics are not the solution for their colds.
Antibiotics work only on bacteria. They don't work on the viruses that cause common colds, so they won't help common colds get better faster, won't stop cold symptoms getting worse, and won't stop colds spreading to others. Common colds usually get better on their own in 5-7 days.
Using antibiotics when they are not needed contributes to the development and spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. This makes antibiotics less effective when they really are needed.
Tips for preventing the spread of colds
Common colds can be passed on to others by touching hands and objects or by breathing in droplets from sneezes and coughs. Reduce the spread of colds by encouraging children to
- cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing
- keep their hands away from their eyes, noses and mouths
- dispose of used tissues
- wash their hands thoroughly with soap, particularly before eating and after blowing their noses
- not share cups, glasses and cutlery.
Tips for managing colds without antibiotics
The National Prescribing Service encourages you to manage common colds by
- taking it easy
- relieving the symptoms
- seeing a doctor if the cold worsens.
Common colds need common sense, they don't need antibiotics. For more information and free newsletter articles, go to the 'parents & carers', 'children's services' and 'schools' pages of the common colds section of the National Prescribing Service website.
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2006-06-01 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
