Natural medicine for children with coughs and colds, safe without side effects
Children with coughs and colds do not need to be given medicine in a hurry. Doctor gives first aid tips for children with coughs and colds. (iStockphoto/kwanchaichaiudom)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia --
Children who have coughs and colds do not need to be given medicine immediately. Doctor gives first aid tips for children with coughs and colds.
Indonesians often consider colds to be flu. In fact, the child actually has a cold with cold symptoms. Consultant pediatrician Rina Triasih explained that flu is caused by the influenza virus and the symptoms are more severe than a cold.
"Symptoms of this cold are mild, mainly a stuffy nose, sneezing. When it comes to flu, children usually get sick more seriously," said Rina in a webinar with the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) some time ago.
A cold or common cold is a self-limited disease or can heal by itself. Rina said there was no effective medicine to cure colds. Cold symptoms usually improve in the 7-10th day.
He recommends that children with a cold should be given plenty to drink, their nutritional needs met and rest.
So, if a child has a cold, what should parents do?
Rina said that treating a child with a cold will depend on his age.
Babies under a year old
Babies under a year old and those with colds do not need medication. According to Rina, children can simply be given warm oil on the chest and gently patted. This gentle patting also functions as chest physiotherapy.
"If you have a cold, there is a nasal spray, but you don't need to let the liquid come out in the other nostril. That helps soften the mucus," he said.
Older children
If the cough is not too bothersome, the child does not need to be given medication. However, when it becomes too annoying, WHO recommends giving a mixture of lime and soy sauce.
"5 ml of one teaspoon of soy sauce, then add the juice of half a lime. For how many times, WHO doesn't say exactly, but it could be 3-4 times a day," he explained.
Apart from that, children can be regularly given honey and warm water. Warm water helps thin phlegm.
Obat Alami untuk Anak Batuk dan Pilek, Aman Tanpa Efek Samping
Anak batuk pilek tak perlu buru-buru diberi obat. Dokter berikan tips pertolongan pertama pada anak batuk pilek.( iStockphoto/kwanchaichaiudom)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia --
Anak yang alami batuk dan pilek tak perlu buru-buru diberi obat. Dokter berikan tips pertolongan pertama pada anak batuk pilek.
Orang Indonesia kerap menganggap pilek sebagai flu. Padahal, anak sebenarnya sakit selesma dengan gejala pilek. Dokter spesialis anak-konsultan Rina Triasih menjelaskan flu timbul akibat virus influenza dan gejalanya lebih berat ketimbang selesma.
"Selesma ini gejalanya ringan, utamanya hidung tersumbat, bersin-bersin. Kalau flu, biasanya anak sakitnya lebih berat," kata Rina dalam webinar bersama Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia (IDAI) beberapa waktu lalu.
Selesma atau common cold merupakan self limited disease atau bisa sembuh dengan sendirinya. Rina berkata tidak ada obat yang efektif untuk menyembuhkan selesma. Gejala selesma biasanya membaik di hari ke-7-10.
Dia menyarankan anak yang selesma cukup diberi banyak minum, dipenuhi kebutuhan nutrisinya dan istirahat.
Lantas, jika anak selesma, apa yang perlu dilakukan orang tua?
Rina berkata penanganan anak yang selesma akan tergantung usianya.
Bayi di bawah setahun
Bayi di bawah setahun dan selesma tidak perlu diberi obat. Menurut Rina, anak cukup diberi minyak hangat di bagian dada dan ditepuk lembut. Tepukan lembut ini juga berfungsi sebagai fisioterapi dada.
"Kalau pilek, ada semprot hidung tapi yang tidak perlu sampai cairannya keluar di lubang hidung sebelah. Itu membantu melembekkan lendir," katanya.
Anak usia lebih besar
Jika batuk tidak terlalu mengganggu, anak tidak perlu diberi obat. Namun saat sudah terlalu mengganggu, WHO merekomendasikan pemberian campuran jeruk nipis dan kecap.
"Kecap satu sendok teh 5 ml, lalu diberi perasan jeruk nipis separuh buah. Untuk berapa kali, WHO tidak menyebutkan secara pasti, tapi bisa 3-4 kali sehari," jelasnya.
Selain itu, anak bisa rutin diberi madu dan air putih hangat. Air putih hangat membantu mengencerkan dahak.