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Help Your Child Avoid Winter Colds (continued)

"I always advise parents not to send their children to day care or school if a cold has developed," Garada says. "It's not only discourteous to expose your child's classmates and teachers to infection, it's also difficult to send a sick child out when what is needed are plenty of fluids, bed rest and a big bowl of chicken soup."

Good hygiene at home is also key, he says. Being particularly fastidious - using antibacterial soap, washing floors and toys, not allowing a sick child to share towels or playthings with others and, of course, a lot of good old "TLC" are excellent preventative measures for keeping colds at bay.

"Unless otherwise directed by your pediatrician, never give your child aspirin to treat fever or other cold symptoms," Garada advises.

Lastly, he says, take your child to the pediatrician if cold symptoms result in:

• increased throat pain
• coughing that lasts more than a week or produces green or gray sputum
• a fever over 101 degrees
• enlarged glands in the neck
• shaking chills

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Avoiding Winter Colds