Don't give children under 6 cold or cough medicine reminds P.E.I. doctor

With a later flu season, P.E.I.'s deputy chief public health officeris reinforcing recommendations from Heath Canada thatover-the-counter cough and cold medicinesthat contain certain active ingredientsshould not be given to children under the age of six.

"That's pretty standard," said DavidSabapathy, P.E.I.'s deputy chief public health officer, about Health Canada's guidelines.

Active ingredients in cough and cold products that should not be given to children under the age of 6 include: antihistamines (used to treat sneezing, runny nose),antitussives(used to treat cough), expectorants (used to loosen mucus), and decongestants (used to treat congestion).

Health Canada reminds people that a cold is not the same as the flu. Cold medications are not effective against the flu.

• Use this chart comparing cold and flu symptoms to help figure out if your child may have a cold or the flu.

"For children that have the flu it's just importantthat they stay home and try and keep well," saidSabapathy. "For influenza for children again it's mostly symptomatic treatment just to keep them comfortable."

• Cold remedies and kids: Study finds some parents ignoring warnings against use

Since October 2009, Health Canadahas required that labels on cough and cold medications carry a warningthat parents and caregivers should not administer the drugs to children under six because they are not only ineffective, but also potentially harmful. Despite recommendations and labeling on these products,recent reports indicate that children under six are still being given cough and cold medications by parents or caregivers according to Health Canada.

50 lab confirmed cases of influenza on P.E.I.

In Canada, the flu season typically runs from November to April. However the flu season was late to begin this year, and the country is now heading into peak season according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Over the past few weeks, the number of Canadians, including children, who are sick with the flu has continued to increase.

On P.E.I. there have been 50 lab confirmed cases of influenza. "That's just an indication of influenza circulating in the community. There's a lot of people that do get the flu that don't show up as lab cases or need to go to hospital," saidSabapathy.

Tips from Health Canada:

• Always check the label first to make sure the medication is suitable for your child.
• Do not give children medications labeled only for adults.
• Do not give children aged 6 and up more than one kind of cough and cold medicine (unless under the advice of a healthcare practitioner).Combining medicines with the same ingredient(s) may cause side effects.
• Talk to your health care practitioner (e.g. doctor, pharmacist, nurse, etc.) if you have any questions about using cough and cold medicines in children.These professionals can also help make sure there are no interactions with other health products your child may be taking.
• If you have any concern with your child's condition or if symptoms do not improve within 6 to 10 days, or worsen, consult a health care practitioner.

Consider these non-medicinal measures that may provide temporary relief from the symptoms of coughs and colds:

• Allow the child adequate rest
• Clear nasal passages;
• Ensure plenty of clear fluids (e.g. water, diluted non-sweetened fruit juice, or clear soups) to prevent dehydration while keeping the throat moist; and
• Provide a comfortable environment with adequate humidity.