Back to school is upon us and brings along an army of little seasonal irritant. Cough, cold, flu and fatigue will tussle with your little one. Here is some useful information to guide you into the new season and help your family to adopt healthy habits!

Is your little one ready for the new school year? Is he ready to face longer days and cooler temperature?  The sudden changes in daily routine can sometimes affect physical and intellectual vigour leaving children more vulnerable to viruses and illnesses, prime suspect being cough and cold.

Back to school pathologies

You can easily help them boost their immune system by reviewing these simple healthy practices: make sure they wash their hands regularly, stay hydrated and keep a balanced diet.

Identifying early symptoms of cough and cold

Cold symptoms generally includes: runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and can be accompanied by mild headache and/or light fever. These viral cold infections do not require antibiotics unless complications arise or in the presence of chronic illness (such as asthma).

Two types of cough can be identified: the dry cough and the productive cough.

• The dry cough is characterized by an irritation or an inflammation at the back of the throat, the trachea or bronchus. As per the name, the cough is dry and does not produce any mucus.
• The productive cough is a result of a defence mechanism to discharge mucus from the respiratory tract.

Health Canada new standard to help you choose better

Health Canada has recently increased their advisories on over- the- counter cough and cold medicines, and their potential adverse effects on children aged 6 and under. The new labelling regulation mandates manufacturers to clearly indicate a series of important information like:

• “This product should not be used in children under 6 years of age”
• “This product should not be used for more than 7 days”
• Etc

This new regulation gives parents the tools to choose the best medication respectful of their children health. To make an informed decision, take time to read the labels!

Effective solutions:  Stodal® and Coryzalia®

Subject to the same rigorous regulation, Boiron medications are well-adapted for children 6 and under. What great news for parents looking at alternative ways to attend to their little ones benign illness.

Stodal^® cough syrup and Coryzalia^® drinkable unit-doses for cold are specifically formulated for children aged 6 and under. They relieve symptoms while respecting your child’s little body.

• To relieve dry and productive cough*: Stodal® is available in syrup form for children aged 1 and up. It contains honey, which is recognized for its soothing effect on night times cough.
• To relieve general cold symptoms* such as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and feverish feelings: Coryzalia® is available in easy-to-use unit-dose format suitable for children aged 1 month and up.

These medications are non toxic. Along with their convenient form, they will surely become your companions for a happy healthy family.

*In case of persistent cough and cold, please consult your health care practitioner.