Maybe your son suddenly developed a stomachache on the day of the big quiz. Or your daughter has a mysterious cough after playing back-to-back soccer games yesterday. For whatever reason, you're not sure if your child is really sick -- or just sick of school. In my experience as a school nurse, I've found that there are a few ways you can tell the difference. Be on the lookout for these telltale signs for when a child is faking sick:

• Inconsistent complaints. If your daughter complains of a stuffy nose one minute, followed by a stomachache and then a headache the next, it may be a sign she's pretending.
• Disappearing symptoms. In my office, I have a rule that I don't see non-emergency cases for the first hour of school. That's because when kids become engaged with activities and friends, they forget all about being "sick." So take note if you notice that your child's cough vanishes when he's playing with his brother. Kids who are under-the-weather also tend to doze off throughout the day, so be wary if your son seems completely alert while watching television or playing computer games.
• Sudden recovery. If a child seems fine after you decide to keep her home from school, that's a surefire red flag!

So should you let him stay home? My rule: If a child doesn't have a fever, hasn't vomited or doesn't have any obvious symptoms (such as diarrhea), I would send him to school. But don't discount his complaints: If he keeps mentioning a symptom, like a headache or stuffy nose, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to rule out any illnesses or other health issues.

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Far too many of us treat our cars like second homes: We eat, drink, spill things and create piles of clutter inside.

But stop and think about it. When was the last time you really gave your car a thorough cleaning on the inside? And think back to the last time you hopped into your car with a bad cold and sneezed, spreading germs throughout your car's cabin. Did you bother to wipe down surfaces afterwards? Didn't think so.

Germs run rampant all around us, including in our automobiles. Fortunately, there's much you can do to keep those pesky little microbes in check. Here are some tips from the country's leading germ experts on how to sanitize your ride's interior.

Daily Wipe-down
When you and your kids get in your car, you inevitably come into contact with surfaces that are covered with germs," says Donna Duberg, assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University's Doisy College of Health Sciences."Then you touch your eyes, nose and mouth. That's how little germies from unclean surfaces make their way into our bodies."

Stay healthy by wiping down the frequently touched areas with a disinfectant (e.g., a sanitizing or disinfecting wipe) that kills viruses and bacteria. (You may have to read the fine print on the label to be sure.) Look for a wipe that does not contain bleach -- some are labeled as being "bleach-free" -- so you can use them to clean hard, nonporous surfaces like steering wheels, dashboards, knobs, chrome accents, door handles and even mirrors.

Make wiping down the interior of your vehicle part of a daily routine, especially when someone in your family has been sick.

Sneeze on Wheels
We are becoming a nation of families eating on the go -- most often in our cars. Inevitably, food particles end up on the vehicle's upholstery, floor, seat belts, steering wheel and knobs. These crumbs are a breeding ground for bacteria, which love a warm, dark and moist environment.

What's more, during allergy season you're also likely tracking irritating outdoor allergens into your car, exacerbating those sniffles and sneezes.

Vacuum what you can with a handheld portable vac after returning home from any outing during which you or the kids were eating in the car. "Then wipe down surfaces with a disinfectant wipe and dry them completely to eliminate any lingering moisture," says Philip Tierno, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center and the author of The Secret Life of Germs: Observations and Lessons From a Microbe Hunter. "Failing to do so allows organisms like mold to grow, which can make you and your children sick," warns Tierno.

And even if your family doesn't eat in the car, make a regular habit of vacuuming the floor and seats to pick up pollen and other sneeze-inducers you might have inadvertently welcomed into your car.

Sanitizer at the Ready
Once you get into the habit of wiping surfaces and vacuuming food spills in your car, why not attack germs' main entry point into your car: your hands?

Hand sanitizers should be kept in every single vehicle, advises Duberg. After you use the handle at the gas pump or press the buttons on the ATM, your hands are covered with germs from the people who touched these surfaces before you.

After touching commonly used surfaces, apply a hand sanitizer to avoid passing germs onto the surfaces inside your car. Go with sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol concentration. Look at the list of active ingredients for ethyl alcohol, ethanol, isopropanol or another variation. Apply to all parts of the hands (i.e., palms, nails, knuckles) and continue to rub your hands together until they are completely dry.  

Car Seat Care
Little ones can equal big messes in the car -- bottle spills, leaky diapers, unidentifiable crumbs. Luckily, the majority of child safety seats are made from fabric that can be removed and washed. A recent study conducted by Charles P. Gerba, Ph.D., professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona and a leading authority on germs, found that car seats often have bacteria on them -- and enough to make a child sick with an ear infection or strep throat.

And that's not all. They also typically have some mold growth, which can be particularly worrisome if you or your child suffers from allergies or asthma. Gerba suggests washing your child safety seat cover a few times per month.

He also recommends wiping down the plastic shell and harness of the child safety seat with water and a mild soap on a weekly basis -- or more often if your child is sick. Between washings, be sure to vacuum or shake out the car seat as often as possible to remove food droppings.

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Each year, American parents hustle their kids to the doctor for 25 million disappointing -- and ineffective -- consultations. Why? They're looking for a cure for the common cold that's yet to be found.

It's considered the most common illness in the world, and Americans alone sneeze, sniffle and cough their way through about a billion colds a year, according to National Institutes of Health. And contrary to popular belief, antibiotics don't help, because antibiotics treat illnesses caused by bacteria -- not viruses like the common cold.

Unfortunately, most experts say we're likely still far from a cure for the common cold. However, scientists have recently uncovered two new exciting discoveries to give cold sufferers hope.

Possible Cures
Brand-new research at the University of Ghent in Belgium found that attaching small particles of silver to good bacteria and introducing them into the body -- perhaps using a nasal spray -- appears to destroy both the common cold and flu viruses. However, scientists warn it's too soon to glean too much from the findings; much more research is required to determine the procedure's effectiveness and safety before any treatment is available to the public.

In 2009, the University of Maryland and the University of Arizona energized the medical community by decoding the genomes of 99 strains of the common cold virus. As a result, scientists can now begin to develop vaccines to target these strains. Surprisingly, however, pharmaceutical companies haven't jumped on this development -- perhaps fearing the public won't buy an expensive drug for a typically minor ailment. Of course, patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who catch a simple cold can suffer a chain of more serious health problems. These individuals would greatly benefit from the cold vaccine promised by this research. But without funding for further research, cold vaccine development is at a stalemate.

Vitamins
What's the scientific community's insight into the preventive promise of vitamins? Indecisive, at best. Numerous studies have failed to prove that vitamin C can cure, prevent or shorten a cold. Research into zinc has also seen mixed results; most studies show no benefit -- although some seem to indicate it can be helpful if taken within 24 hours of the first cold symptoms. Similarly, researchers have found mixed results on the effectiveness of Echinacea -- and some users have noted unpleasant side effects including upset stomach and diarrhea.

Until There's a Cure
For now, experts say there's not much we can do to avoid getting the common cold except wash our hands, get plenty of rest and accept the fact that we'll probably still catch a cold or two this season. If you do, find comfort in the fact that most colds run their course in one or two weeks.

To ease cold symptoms:

• Drink plenty of fluids (water and juice)
   
• Skip alcohol and caffeinated beverages
• Gargle with warm saltwater, which may help ease a scratchy throat and expel fluid caught in the throat
• Try over-the-counter cold and cough medicines and antihistamines (check the label for age restrictions)
• Use a humidifier to moisten mucous membranes, which may decrease the risk of a stuffy nose and scratchy throat
• Go with a soft tissue so you don’t irritate the skin around your nose

And of course, always call a doctor if you're concerned or your child has a cold lasting more than 10 days, severe ear pain, an extremely sore throat, trouble breathing or a fever that lasts more than 48 hours.

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Chicken soup? Check. Lots of rest? Double check. You have a plan when someone in your house comes down with a cold or flu. Some of the things you do are the same that your mother did for you. That's because most remedies have withstood the test of time. But since upper respiratory infections are the most common illnesses in the world -- and kids are always getting them -- you're constantly on the lookout for new comforts and cures.

Luckily, researchers are on the same mission. They want your little one to feel better just as much as you do. They're out in the fields and in the labs collecting up-to-the-minute information for getting healthy and staying that way. Here are six new science-backed approaches that'll help your family feel better

Outdated Cold and Flu Tactic No. 1: Put off the doctor's visit.
New Approach: Call the office.
So your child has a few sniffles. Not a big deal, right? While it's true that the common cold isn't a life-threatening concern for most people, the flu is another story. On average each year, 20,000 kids under the age of 5 are hospitalized from flu-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The reason you should check in with your doctor ASAP? The sooner your child sees the pediatrician, the faster she can be diagnosed with either a cold or the flu, says Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Since both of these viral infections cause congestion, cough and tiredness, it can be difficult for parents to tell the difference between them (though the flu often brings on more severe symptoms more quickly, such as high fever, body aches, chills and sore throat). And if you catch the flu soon enough -- or within 48 hours of infection -- prescription antiviral medicines can stop the virus from spreading, so the misery won't last as long.

But what if it's just a cold? Then you'll feel assured that everything will be OK when the virus runs its course within about seven to 10 days, says Dr. Rocco Costabile, a family practitioner in Philadelphia. Ask your pediatrician for individual instructions for the antihistamines, cough suppressants, pain relievers and TLC that will make your child feel more comfortable.

Outdated Cold and Flu Tactic No. 2: Lower the fever ASAP.
New Approach: Mild fevers are OK.
Fevers are scary: A recent study showed that 83 percent of parents believe a fever is harmful to children, and 92 percent experience fear when their kids have one. But running a temperature is actually a sign of a healthy immune system. "The body works more efficiently at fighting infections at higher temperatures," says Adalja. A mild temperature -- below 101 F -- can actually be beneficial for fighting a cold or flu.

You do have to be on top of fevers when your child is younger than 2 months old, explains Dr. Carol J. Baker, a pediatrician and chairwoman for the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition. Babies need to go straight to the doctor when they're registering above 99 F, she says. Kids younger than 5 -- especially newborns -- are prone to febrile seizures with high fevers of 102 F to 105 F. Below that is usually not a worry, says Adalja.

If you've got a 5-year-old with a runny nose, take her temperature, but don't get too excited until it's above 101 F," explains Baker. At that point, call the doctor and give the child a fever reducer like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (but never aspirin, which may result in a rare but life-threatening condition in kids called Reye's syndrome). Baker adds that sometimes if your little one really feels bad, you may decide to lower the fever with medication simply to make her feel better.

Outdated Cold and Flu Tactic No. 3: Feed a fever, starve a cold.
New Approach: Drink up!
Feed a fever, starve a cold is definitely an old wives' tale, explains Costabile. The truth is that kids may not feel like eating when they're sick. But it's very important that they drink, especially if they're running a fever, because that makes them burn through calories faster.

"The immune system works better when it's hydrated rather than dehydrated," says Costabile. When cells are dehydrated, they contract, explains Baker. Achy muscles will feel worse, and loss of fluids causes headaches. Get kids to drink anything, according to their preferences, but encourage beverages that contain water, sodium and other salts. Electrolyte drinks are best, but if all the child will drink is soft drinks for two days, that's OK, says Baker.

Then offer up the old standby: chicken noodle soup. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center completed a study that shows that this time-tested favorite does, in fact, make sick people feel better. "There's nothing special about it in terms of magic antiviral activity," says Baker. "But when you feel bad, you want someone to sympathize with you and love you. Chicken noodle soup works for me.”

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When your child’s under the weather, you probably head to the drugstore to pick up a remedy. But with shelf after shelf filled with over-the-counter medications, the vast selection may be enough to give you a headache. How do you know which one is the right one? We asked the experts for a guide to cold medicine that helps clear up the confusion.

1. First, consider your child’s age. “It’s recommended that you avoid giving oral cold medications to children under the age of 6, unless otherwise directed by a pediatrician,” says Maria Marzella Mantione, an associate clinical professor at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions and a national spokeswoman for the American Pharmacists Association. Some topical medications are OK for use in children 2 years and older, but always check the label for age restrictions and be sure to follow the directions for proper application -- they should not be ingested or applied where they can accidentally enter the nose, mouth or eyes.

For younger kids, soothe their cold symptoms with non-medicinal methods: Encourage plenty of fluids and rest, and run a humidifier to relieve congestion and to moisten dry nasal passages. Mantione also advises using saline drops and an aspirator for a stuffy nose, and a spoonful of honey for cough (but only for children over the age of 1).

2. Next, take note of her symptoms. Don’t automatically reach for that all-in-one remedy. “You should only treat the symptoms that your child is experiencing,” says Mantione. “Giving her unnecessary medication may lead to unpleasant side effects, like nausea or dizziness.” If your little one is suffering from more than one complaint, however, using the appropriate multi-symptom formula is a smart move.

3. Check the active ingredients. Once you’ve pinpointed your child’s symptoms, read the label to ensure that you’re buying the correct medication. This cheat sheet can help you make the right choice; make sure that you follow the age and dosing requirements on the package.

· Your child has a: Fever

The box should say: Fever and pain reliever (acetaminophen, ibuprofen). “Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safe to use for fever or pain, such as an earache or sore throat, in children who are at least 6 months old,” says Mantione, who also advises checking in with a pediatrician. Steer clear of aspirin, which has been shown to cause Reye syndrome -- a rare but dangerous complication -- in children with the flu or chickenpox.

· Your child has a: Dry cough

The box should say: Cough suppressant or antitussive (dextromethorphan) or topical cough relief (camphor, menthol and eucalyptus oil). These types of medications reduce your cough sensitivity by suppressing receptors in the respiratory tract or, for dextromethorphan, in the brain's “cough center.”

· Your child has a: Productive cough or chest congestion

The box should say: Expectorant (guaifenesin). Expectorants thin mucus, which makes it easier to cough up. “A productive cough is good for you, so you don’t want to quiet it with a suppressant,” says Mantione.

· Your child has a: Stuffy nose

The box should say: Decongestant (pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine). This medication works by reducing swelling in the nose. But don’t use it for more than three days in a row, since decongestants can make stuffiness worse with repeated use. You can find pseudoephedrine-based products behind the pharmacy counter; Mantione believes they have fewer side effects.

· Your child has a: Runny nose

The box should say: Antihistamine (brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine). Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, compounds that attach to cells and cause fluid leakage. Most of these are sedating and can cause sleepiness, so they’re best used before bedtime.

4. Consult the pharmacist. If you have any questions or want a little guidance, find the in-store pharmacist, says Mantione. “She can also help you figure out the right dose for your child.”

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