Cold Medicines

• Most cold medicines are not helpful. They can't remove dried mucus from the nose.
• Antihistamines are only helpful if your child also has nasal allergies.
• Antibiotics are not helpful unless your child develops an ear or sinus infection.
  

Prescription Antiviral Drugs for Influenza
• All antiviral drugs must be started within 48 hours of the onset of influenza symptoms to have an impact.
• Their benefits are limited: they only reduce the duration of symptoms by 1 to 1.5 days.
• Pediatricians vary in their opinion about the value of prescribing antiviral drugs for influenza that is detected within 48 hours of onset.