If a child with a cough is breathing much more rapidly than normal, then the child is at risk. It is essential to get the child to a clinic quickly. Most coughs and colds, sore throats and runny noses, will get better by themselves. But sometimes pneumonia develops and threatens the child's life. If a child is breathing normally, coughs and colds and runny noses can be treated at home without drugs.
Most medicines sold for coughs and colds are useless or harmful.
Families can help prevent pneumonia by making sure that babies are breastfed for at least the first six months of life and that all children are well nourished and fully immunized. Supporting Information Breastfeeding Breastmilk helps to protect against infections. On average, babies who are bottle-fed have twice as many bouts of pneumonia as babies who are breastfed. It is particularly important to give breastmilk alone for about the first six months of a baby's life. Feeding At any age, a child who is well-fed is less likely to become seriously ill or to die because of pneumonia.