Which Meds to Give a 2Year Old for Flu?

I use Boiron products that are homeopathic and safe for 2yrs and up. This is a direct link for their flu product, but search the site and you'll see the other kid stuff too. Hope your LO feels better soon!
http://www.childrensoscillo.com/

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Hi F.---The best medicine...lots and lots of love...and water. Some chicken soup made with lots of veggies and a bit of hot pepper is also very soothing. Make her smoothies with juices and throw some fruits and veggies in there also. You can play with them so that they taste like shakes or sorbets.

Try to minimize the use of tylenol, etc, unless she is absolutely miserable and inconsolable. Fevers typically rise at night. Fevers also serve the very necessary purpose of killing the virus. Use cool clothes to reduce the fever and make her more comfy. Watch her, but it shouldn't take but a couple of days for her to start to get better...which is how long it takes medications to work anyway. If she doesn't improve within 2-3 days, then call her doc.

Good luck...D.

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"Hylands" has a large line of All Natural homeopathic medicines that get great results. They have cough syrup, stuff for sniffles and sneezes, cold relief, complete flu care. I'm sure there are a ton more. I order off of diapers.com because I live in the middle of nowhere so getting those products around where I live are impossible. Diapers.com does over night shipping so you could get it quickly but if you live in a more populated area that has say a babies R us or something I know that they carry Hyland's products.

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NO OTC medication is "safe" for a 2 yo.
Take her to the pediatrician.
Run a cool mist humidifier, push fluids, prop the head of her crib to ease breathing.

Mucus color is NOT always an indication of an infection or lack of one.

What flu-like symptoms is she having? Fever?

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If she has the flu, which is a virus, antibiotics won't help. I wouldn't give any OTC meds to a toddler without the doctor's recommendation. What symptoms are you trying to treat? If it's anything other than just fever, I'd take her in to see the doctor

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Over the counter medications do not heal, they hinder and suppress what the body is doing to heal the illness. Let the mucus flow! Give her water, humidity and rest. If the fever symptoms are interfering with rest, then give her the fever reducer at night so she will be more comfortable. Remember that the body knows what to do and a fever helps the body heal. If she has a high fever, or if she has a low grade one for more than three days..... go to the doctor. The flu can take up to 7 days and there are no medications to help it.

Updated

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Our family just got over a nasty bug, which included flu like symptoms, plus coughing and a runny nose. I found "Children's cough syrup" a natural brand made by NatraBio, in the health food store at my Fred Meyers (also named Kroger in some areas) It worked really well getting rid of my son's persistent cough's, so they could sleep through the night. It has a dosage amount of 1 tsp for a 2-6 year old child every 4-6 hours. I personally like using homipathic products when I can, but if need be I will also use the regular medicines. For fever reduction, we used "PediaCare" fever/pain reducer. It has a dosage amount for 2-3 year olds. It helped my boys. I also made sure they had water right after taking the medicines. You can read more information and look up where to find these products, by visitng their websites. https://www.natrabio.com/ http://www.pediacare.com/
Hope your little girl feels better soon ;) M.

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My 2-year-old and I just got back from a doc's visit at the Children's Hospital ER for these same symptoms. They told us the only thing we can give him is Pedialyte (to keep him hydrated). Other than that, the FDA hasn't approved any meds for under 4 and they actually recommend that you don't use any meds, especially cough syrup, until age 6. They told us to come back if he has trouble breathing or his fever won't respond to meds. They did take x-rays of his chest and cultures of his throat because his cough was croupy so if her cough sounds wet and chesty, you might want to take her in.

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My understanding is that the only over-the-counter med you should give is one to treat the fever. Some prefer tylenol, but by two, I much prefer Ibuprofen. There is a sufficiently pleasant grape chewable made by Motrin. I would also like to stress that green mucus is not an indication of infection. Overuse of antibiotics is really dangerous, and could make getting rid of any future infection difficult. If, however, she starts complaining that her ears hurt, get her to the doctor right away for those antibiotics!

If this is the same cold/flu thing my family has, brace yourself! It lasts for at least a couple weeks. Just when things start getting better, fever spikes or vomiting ensues! Treat the fever, run the humidifier, and hunker down. This too shall pass!

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Hi F.,

Here's the list our pediatrician gave us to help when my daughter had a persistent cough last winter. Each one gave her symptoms a bit of relief. I used the same techniques the last time I was sick because I have unpleasant reactions to cold medicines, and they do help. The effects don't last as long as OTC remedies, but they definitely give relief!

1. As others have said, lots of fluids. Warm juice (apple) helped soothe her throat.

2. STEAM!!! Run the shower in the bathroom on full hot to make the bathroom very steamy, and play or have an extended story time while breathing the steam. It will help loosen the mucus that's running down the back of her throat.

3. Saline nasal drops. She'll hate it because it will make her gag a little, but it's another thing that helps the congestion and cough.

4. Use the humidifier in her room.

5. Children's Tylenol or Ibuprofen for the fever.

6. Honey. A spoonful will soothe her throat and help with the cough. The effects don't last long, but it may help her fall asleep.

7. Sleep with head elevated. In all honesty, my daughter didn't stay in one position long enough to actually keep her head elevated, but it can help.

8. As much rest as possible, even during the day.

Good luck!

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If it has been more than a week, especially with a fever, I would go to the DR. Could have a sinus infection even if the color is normal or an ear infection...
I would suggest Tylenol for the fever, humidifier in the room and saline drops of mist for the nose. No other meds unless the DR says.

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don't think that sounds doctor worthy, but you know best as you are with her! Infant tylenol or motrin?

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Call the pediatrician. In generaly, OTC medications are not recommended for children this young, but you should be giving her something to reduce the fever. Mucus color would not be the only indicator of an infection- my son just had a cold that developed quickly into an ear infection. We took him to the doctor b/c he spiked a fever after having a cough.

Let the doctor make the diagnosis and ask him/her while you are there about OTC meds.

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I would just give her some children's motrin or tylanol if she seems uncomfortable. My pediatrician recommends the syrup from canned peaches to ease a cough, and 100% purple grape juice to drink as an expectorant. Hope she feels better!

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If she's having flu like symptoms at the very least call her doc and see what they recommend. Flu hits the little ones harder and faster so they may want to see her.
The only meds you can safely give her are tylenol to make her more comfortable. Have her sleep propped up, vicks on her chest, warm or cool mist humidifier (see which one helps more), don't over dress/blanket her. Hot showers will help keep things running/make her nose more clear. A warm bath might make her feel good.

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You need to call the doc to see what she needs and how much. They might want to see her to rule out strep or ear infections.

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I took my 15 month old to the doc with all the same symptoms .My doc said I could give him Benadryl to help dry up his nose and that would help with the cough. He weighs 23 lbs and I give him 1 tsp before bed. and you can give ibuprofen for the fever.But you might want to check with your doc and make sure there is no other issues, like an ear infection.you should call your doc office and get the OK first.

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Chamomile tisane. How to make a tisane? Lightly dip the teabag in a cup for one minute. For an older child you brew it for five minutes. If your child has a fever make a bath with Peppermint (a big handful in a sock). The bath should be luke warm...about 75-80°. Wash her with the sock peppermint inside. This will lower your child's temperature. A child her age can easily have 101° without being really sick.
Go to the health food store and get Chamomile and Peppermint. The peppermint should be loose. Get about a pound. You will need it again and again.

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I don't recommend any medications for little ones. But my 4 kids have all found great relief with homeopathic meds. They are completely safe, and very effective. You can find both tiny pellets that dissolve under the tongue (and enter the bloodstream quickly that way) as well as honey-based syrup versions. Two of the most well-known brands are Hyland's and Boiron. I've used both. It used to be you had to go to Super Supplements (or a comparable store) to find them, but now that more people are finding out about how great they are stores like Fred Meyer and Walgreen's sell them.

Other than that, lots of fluids, snuggles, and saline spray for the stuffed up nose should do the trick. Don't try to suppress a fever unless it's over 101. Fever means the body is fighting the bug.

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Only give your child what a licensed pharmacist or your pediatrician says give her. The meds on the market today are not formulated for little ones. They do not metabilize the meds the way bigger kids do and they can die. Check out the stories that started the "no OTC med's for under 4" issue.

cnn.com.