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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No mom wants her child to feel miserable -- and the common cold can really wipe a kid out! Fortunately, combining a few simple moves with time-tested remedies can help ease your little one’s symptoms. So the next time she starts coughing and sneezing, try these savvy tricks to soothe your sick kid in no time.

1. Push an ice pop. “This frozen treat can help soothe a sore throat, plus provide extra fluid to prevent dehydration,” says Dr. Susan Besser, a family physician in Memphis, Tenn., and a mother of six. Giving your child plenty of liquids will also help thin out mucus, making it easier to cough it up.

2. Choose the right remedy. An over-the-counter medication is one of the best ways to relieve cough and cold; just make sure to check the label for age restrictions. A multi-symptom drug is useful in many cases, but don’t assume that it’s a one-size-fits-all treatment. “If your child isn’t experiencing each of the ailments listed on the box, you’re giving her unnecessary meds,” says Besser. “That may cause uncomfortable side effects, like insomnia or nausea.” She advises matching up your child’s specific symptoms with the medicine you give her.

3. Use an extra pillow. “Elevating a child’s head will keep those nasal secretions flowing forward and out of the nose,” says Dr. Peter I. Liber, a pediatrician in Wheaton, Ill., and a father of four. That can prevent postnasal drip from turning into a cough -- and help her sleep more soundly.

4. Have a cooldown. While waiting for that acetaminophen or ibuprofen to kick in, a cold washcloth or icy drink can provide relief for a feverish child. Skip the cool bath, though: Liber explains that may raise his core temperature -- and actually worsen fever.

5. Soothe with steam. “Adding moisture to the air can help loosen up congestion,” says Besser. Keep a vaporizer or humidifier in your child’s room, and remember to change the water daily to prevent bacteria growth. Or run a hot shower and let her sit in the fogged-up bathroom for up to 15 minutes.

6. Teach good hankie habits. “Clamping your nose with a tissue and blowing forcefully can lead to nosebleeds or even a ruptured eardrum,” cautions Besser. Instruct your child to clear her nose gently. While you’re at it, remind her to toss the tissue in the trash afterwards and wash her hands to avoid spreading germs.

7. Calm with creams. Turns out those mentholated topical ointments and creams your own mom gave you really do work. According to a recent study, sick kids whose parents applied a vapor rub to their chest 30 minutes before bedtime slept better, breathed easier and coughed less throughout the night than those who didn’t. Just make sure to follow the directions on the package, and avoid using in and around the nose.

8. Protect his nose. You can’t always help whether your little guy uses a tissue or his sleeve to wipe his nose -- but when he does, make sure he’s got a soft facial tissue on hand. And Liber also suggests keeping his skin from getting red and chapped by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly beneath his nose and on the outside of his nostrils.

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When a child complains of ear pain, many parents call their pediatrician’s offices, expecting to receive a prescription. But to protect your health, these days we pediatricians are more cautious about doling out antibiotics. That’s because using them too often can lead to the creation of dangerous super-bugs: Antibiotics are taken so frequently in the United States that the bacteria have outsmarted drugs, morphing into antibiotic-resistant strains. As a result, physicians are trying to write prescriptions only when necessary.

So the next time you think your child may be suffering from an ear infection, be sure to have a discussion with your pediatrician. If your kid is younger than 2, has a fever or is experiencing significant pain, your doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics. But if he has a mild ear infection, your pediatrician will probably recommend an over-the-counter pain medication or eardrops for a few days, because in many cases, the infection goes away on its own.

To protect yourself -- and your family -- from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, you should take these smart steps:

1. Always see your pediatrician. While it’s tempting to ask your physician to phone in a prescription, you should always go into the office to make sure your child is suffering from an infection that requires antibiotics -- and not another ailment that requires another form of treatment.

2. Finish the entire course of antibiotics. Although your little one may be feeling better, he needs to take his entire prescription to wipe out any traces of bacteria in his body.

3. Never borrow a prescription. Don’t give one child’s antibiotics to another. You may help your son feel a little better in the short run, but you’re upping his risk for an antibiotic-resistant infection later on.

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