Colds, Flu and Ear Infections 

Cold and Coughs

Colds and coughs are usually caused by viral infections. This means that they are spread from person to person by close contact, and therefore easily spread from one child to another.
Usually a cold begins with a stuffy and runny nose and tiredness. These symptoms may be accompanied by a temperature and sore throat, and possibly ear ache. It may be difficult to distinguish colds from allergies or teething.  If it’s going around, it’s probably a cold. If it’s not accompanied by a change in energy or fussiness, it may be allergies. If congestion persists, it may be allergies or a sinus infection.
Colds can become more severe and result in Bronchitis or even pneumonia.

Often a child’s body will fight off a cold in a few days without any treatment, but using natural remedies will promote healing and help prevent complications. Typical colds last for seven days, though congestion may persist longer. Complications include earaches and chest colds. Colds are usually contagious for the first three to four days. Keep your child at home at the beginning of colds and for 24 hours after fevers have abated.
The goal of treatment is to give a boost to the immune system so that it fights off the infection efficiently. This can be done with herbs and homeopathic medicines. Both can be given at the same time.

Flu (influenza)

The flu  is a viral infection of the respiratory or the intestinal systems.
The symptoms are usually headaches, chills, muscle aches, high fever and fatigue which could last for some time after the initial symptoms.

Similar symptoms and signs as in Colds, but can be much more extreme.

The flu is spread from person to person as in colds, so easily contracted from someone who is ill.
Antibiotics will not treat the flu, so treatment is usually by means of rest, lots of fluids and perhaps Tylenol.

A full description of the symptoms, treatment, transmission, complications and prevention are given in the Free eBook

Ear infections.

Probably the most common infection affecting children when bacteria enter the ear from the nose or throat.
What are the symptoms of an ear infection?
Ear infections can be accompanied by mild or severe pain, (or no pain at all), high temperature, irritability and maybe fluid draining from the ear. In babies, symptoms often only include fussiness and night waking, runny nose, or fever. Sometimes all three symptoms are present. Ear pain tends to worsen at night while lying down.

A gentle heat applied to the infected ear , in the form of perhaps a hot water bottle covered with a towel, can give quite a bit of relief to the child, and Tylenol will provide relief for most cases.
How do you know that your baby or child has an ear infection?
Get a small home earscope and check the eardrums for redness. A flushed, red ear may indicate an ear infection, but a red ear could also be due to allergies, teething, or excessive crying. The earscope will allow you to monitor the progress of the eardrum.

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