Saudi Gazette Cold weather may have its perks but the downside is that it comes with a number of common illnesses. The flu virus targets children during the winter season and causes either cough, tightness of breath, sore throat, hoarse voice, sneezing, or fever apart from keeping worried parents late up into the night. Since the flu is viral in nature, antibiotics cannot treat it and not much can be done except to keep the sick child comfortable by giving him/her warm fluids to drink, plenty of rest and sleep, and light medication to keep the fever down. Pediatrician Dr. Zuhair Al-Taher, said that in most cases, the complaint of sore throat is caused by a viral infection and the children most prone to this infection fall in the age group of three months to six years. The sick child may also experience loss of appetite, swollen neck, and labored breathing. “The problem is that the cough usually creeps up on the child late at night or in the pre-dawn hours. Sometimes it is a harsh cough and is accompanied with a wheezing sound, tightness of breath, and high fever that could reach 40 degrees. The child can become very tired and distressed,” said Al-Taher. The doctor advises parents to stay calm because children can sense when their parents are anxious and that will make a young child feel even worse. He also recommends the following home treatment that will bring the sick child some relief. “Close the door and all the windows of the bathroom and keep hot tap water running in the bath to trap the steam. This will have a therapeutic effect similar to a sauna or steam room. Have the child sit in the closed bathroom for about 15 to 30 minutes. This is a simple solution that will greatly improve the child's condition,” Al-Taher explained. A steam bath can be very helpful in treating respiratory problems because the steam loosens mucus and phlegm, making it easier for the body to expel it. The steam soothes a sore throat, opens the airways, improves breathing, and helps eliminate toxins through the skin via perspiration. It also promotes relaxation and will help the child fall back to sleep. Dr. Zuhair Al-Taher reassures parents that children will recover from the flu in around three to four days and without complications. If symptoms persist or worsen or the child's fever is not responding to medication, then the child should be given medical attention immediately. __
