Guidelines for Cough Syrup: What is the right age to give cough syrup to children? Learn from experts.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Cough Syrup Safe Age: India is a country where if someone in the family is sick, you'll find three or four people in the same house or nearby advising them that this medicine will be good, that this medicine cured my or my child's illness. After this, people buy that medicine without consulting a doctor. Recently, cough syrup has claimed the lives of many people in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Many dangerous chemicals were found in it. So, let us tell you what is the right age for children to be given cough syrup.

What is the right age?

When to give cough syrup and when not to is a major question for parents. Experts say that both the effects and side effects of the medicine can be more severe in young children, so giving cough syrup without a doctor's advice can be dangerous. According to the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration), children under the age of two should not be given any over-the-counter cough and cold medications, as they can have many side effects. The Indian government recently banned the use of some cough syrups for children under the age of four for safety reasons. Dr. Sanjay Jain, a pediatrician at a superspecialty clinic in Bhopal, says that most colds and flu cases resolve on their own. You can treat them by giving your body adequate rest and drinking lukewarm water. Syrups are not always necessary. Doctors say that most coughs in children are caused by allergies. Doctors also advise against self-administering syrups to children under four.

What is the alternative to syrup?

If your child has a cough, it can be cured by drinking water, inhaling steam, and if he or she is older than one year, by giving him or her honey. Syrups or medicines should be taken only if the problem is severe, and that too after consulting a doctor. Simply put, relying on home remedies and medical supervision is the safest option for young children with coughs and colds. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cough and cold medicines should be used with caution in children under 5 years of age, as these medicines have limited benefits and a high risk of harm.

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