How to ease symptoms amid Canada’s shortage of children’s cold and flu medication
With Canada’s shortage of children’s cold and flu medication still lingering, parents have other options to help ease symptoms in little ones dealing with coughs, sore throats and the other common ailments of flu season.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Friday that one million bottles arrived in Canada through foreign imports and about 1.1 million units have been produced domestically so far in November.
However, as parents and caregivers wait for those bottles to make their way onto shelves in our province, Manitoba Pediatric Society president Doctor Marni Hanna said there are several treatment alternatives to help ease symptoms.
For starters, Dr. Hanna advises parents of children experiencing fevers not to panic.
“Not all fevers need, medication and a fever is your body's natural response to getting sick,” she told CTV Morning Live Winnipeg’s Rachel Lagacé in an interview Monday.
“We're more concerned if fevers are going on for more than five days, or if the child is under three months old, or if they look really sick, dehydrated, or if they're having trouble breathing.”
Hanna recommends putting a cool cloth on children’s heads, keeping their body temperature down with light clothing and keeping the room cool.
She adds babies with coughs can be treated with saline spray or drops paired with a nasal aspirator to remove mucus. Keeping their heads elevated instead of lying flat will also make breathing and coughing easier.
For older kids, Hanna said the old standbys work well – a humidifier, lots of fluids, plus some extra snuggles.
CHICKEN SOUP? A SLICE OF ONION? WHICH OLD WIVES’ TALES WORK
Meanwhile, there are a few long-held flu remedies that Hanna says have little evidence to back up their lore.
The doctor said classics like chicken soup and a teaspoon of honey can help soothe sore throats.
“I think the reason why people resort to (chicken soup) is because warm fluids in general just feel better on a sore throat and there's salt in it, so it helps you to maintain your hydration,” she said.
Then, there are the more obscure flu treatments that have gained notoriety over the years – like putting Vicks VapoRub on a child’s face or putting a slice of onion on their feet.
“I think parents just want to feel like they're doing something. We would caution against putting Vicks VapoRub on a child's face. So definitely avoid putting it on their face. But if you put it on their feet, that maybe it'll do something, but I doubt it,” Dr. Hanna said.
- With files from CTV's Rachel Lagacé and the Alissa Thibault
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.