It's official...the sick season has arrived. Coughs, colds, and respiratory viruses are all reeking havoc and making many kids feel miserable. There's not a lot you can do for winter viruses. There's no magic pill that will make them go away quicker. Fluids, rest and time can help your kids feel better...and so can a little vapor rub. A recent study out of Penn State University looked at how affective vapor rubs are at improving cold and nighttime cough symptoms. 138 children between 2 and 11 years of age participated in a two day study. No one had any underlying conditions or was taking any medication. The results? Children treated with vapor rub slept better than those who were treated with a placebo or had no treatment at all. Parents noted that the children with upper respiratory infections, who were treated with vapor rub had more nighttime relief from coughing and congestion. Vapor rubs do not cure a cold or cough, but as this study reveals, it offered cough and congestion relief but more importantly...sleep...something anyone who is not feeling well certainly needs. Most pediatricians including me do not recommend vapor runs for children under two. My advice? Place a bottle of vapor rub in your medicine cabinet...someone in your family will need it this winter. I'm Dr. Sue with The Kid's Doctor helping parents take charge.
