Study: Classes Improve Care of Kids’ Colds

An education program for parents can reduce incorrect use of medicines and emergency room visits for colds, a new study found. The study included 154 families enrolled in Early Head Start. This is a government program for low-income infants, toddlers and pregnant women. Parents were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group learned about what causes colds and flu. They were taught about how to use saline drops, a bulb syringe, a humidifier and other tools that did not involve medicines. The program also discussed over-the-counter medicines. Parents learned when and how to use them, when to avoid them and how to measure them. They also learned about proper use of antibiotics and home remedies and when to see a doctor. The other group of parents got no extra instruction. Families then reported weekly for 5 months on illnesses in their children and how they cared for them.