The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. it is not the same as the common cold, even though many of the symptoms are similar. The common cold is caused by a different virus, and it is usually milder than the flu. Influenza is more likely to worsen and cause more serious complications.

How does the Influenza Virus Spread?

The influenza virus is most commonly spread through the air with the virus infecting others through the respiratory tract. Once it is in the body, the virus starts to replicate itself, leading to a swollen and inflamed respiratory tract. The virus then enters the bloodstream and the symptoms of flu begin to appear. This process continues for a few days, until the body’s immune system begins to fight it off.

Symptoms of Influenza

There are several symptoms associated with influenza, some or all of the following may be present:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Body aches
• Runny nose and/or congestion
• Fatigue

The basic symptoms of the flu are generally not dangerous; however, with the immune system weakened by the virus, the body is vulnerable to more serious infections. Additional complications that caretakers need to be watchful of are:

• Bacterial pneumonia
• Dehydration
• Sinus problems
• Ear infections
• Worsening of pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or diabetes

What is the Stomach Flu?

The “stomach flu” is actually a misnomer. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach aches can be caused by viruses; however, they are not typically symptoms of influenza. Influenza is primarily a respiratory illness, not a gastrointestinal one.

Who is Eligible?

Wondering if you qualify for a personal injury lawsuit? First of all, the injury must have occured recently. There is a statute of limitations that determine the length of time you have to file a lawsuit after sustaining an injury. These vary from state to state. In some states it may be as short as 30 days, where as in other states you may have several years to pursue your case. However, to increase your chances of success, you will want to file your suit as close to the date of your injury as possible. This makes your case more credible in the judge’s eyes.

Additionally, you must have both a valid claim and legal standing for an attorney to file a personal injury suit on your behalf. A valid claim is one that can be settled through the legal process. Legal standing means that you have the legal right to initiate a lawsuit, and that you have been affected by a matter that can be resolved with legal action. In other words, the suit that you’re bringing must be a reasonable grievance and be addressing an incident that was clearly the fault of another person or party.

Questions Before Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Before you hire a personal injury attorney to pursue your case, ask yourself the following questions.

• Have you or your child been injured as the result of another person or company’s accidental or intentional negligence?
• Is the injury so severe that you’ve suffered lost wages or garnishments, mental or physical distress, or steep medical bills?
• Do you have evidence and common sense on your side in the case?
• Have you already compromised your chances for a settlement by talking extensively with the potential defendant’s attorney or giving statements to the defendant’s insurance company?

If you answered yes to the above questions, it is time to start searching for a personal injury attorney. You have access to a large network of qualified attorneys right in your area. By completing the contact us form on this page, you will be referred to a personal injury attorney in your area who can review your information to verify if you have a case.

You will also want to find a personal injury attorney who will take your case payable via contingency. A good contingency rate is around 25 to 30 percent of the monies that you’ll be paid at the end of a successful trial. Before you retain a personal injury attorney, you’ll want to have a face-to-face meeting with him or her, and you’ll want to make sure that the attorney doesn’t have any conflicts of interest in your case. Ask for the law firm’s promotional brochures, and solicit references from trusted business associates and family members to find other personal injury attorney resources.

Many potential plaintiffs, even people with bulletproof cases, never file suits or motions in court because of the perceived hassle and embarrassment associated with going to trial. While it’s true that some personal injury cases can get quite grueling and drawn out, if the dollar amount of your suffering is large enough to merit action, it certainly won’t hurt you to consult with a recommended personal injury attorney to see whether or not you may have a case. Remember that simply talking to a personal injury attorney doesn’t preclude you from not taking legal action, it simply opens your eyes to various possibilities of redress.

Finally, before you get involved with a personal injury attorney, calculate the value of your time. If you spend six months in trial trying to recoup a small amount of damages from a defendant, you’re in effect taking six months vacation from your primary occupation and suffering the stresses and frustrations of trial that will inevitably ensue.

Finding a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney

There are many things to keep in mind when choosing a personal injury attorney, not the least of which is to be sure that the personal injury attorney has your best interest at heart. It’s important to keep in mind that there are many personal injury attorney scams out there – unaccredited lawyers and other schemers who try to extort large amounts of money from people or companies to make themselves rich.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, on the job, or by a negligent healthcare provider, your first step should be to do some research and find a responsibe, well-respected personal injury attorney. We have a large network of highly qualified attorneys and are able to assist you with this process. Completing the referral form allows us to find a good attorney that will listen to your story and will set realistic expectations for the amount of money you may be able to collect.

Regardless of how you find your personal injury attorney, make sure that he or she puts you at ease and listens to your needs. Before doing anything, your personal injury attorney should listen carefully to your account of what happened, taking detailed notes and then suggesting a course of action. Sometimes a lawsuit is not the appropriate response to an injury, and your personal injury attorney should not only be able to admit that to you, but also be able to suggest alternative solutions.

Understanding Personal Injury Settlements

A personal injury settlement is a civil lawsuit that settles a dispute between two parties. When a settlement takes place, one party tries to prevent the case from going to trial by offering an amount of money or a set of terms that they hope the other party will agree to, thus “settling” the case and eliminating the need for a juried trail. Many times, the settlement is offered by the defendant, as they attempt to use an attractive settlement package to satisfy the other party and avoid having to pay more as the result of a trial.

If you or your child has been injured, and someone else is at fault, you should not be required to cover the expenses yourself. Healthcare costs are rising and an insurmountable amount of debt can form quickly as a result of one of these incidences. This is where your personal injury attorney can help. After meeting with you and conducting research to obtain all the facts, they can file a civil suit against the other party that is responsible for your injury. In most cases, the defendant will want to settle to keep the case out of court. 

Your personal injury attorney is your key to insuring that you are compensated for any medical expenses as well as pain and suffering that resulted from you or your child’s injury. They will also work to recover any lost of wages that resulted from the injury. In a personal injury settlement, your attorney will help you determine if the amount offered is enough to cover all of your expenses and lost wages. If it does not, they will pursue further action, including a trial with hopes that the court will award you with a more reasonable amount in damages than what was offered in the settlement.

If you or a loved one is injured by an over-the counter cold medicine or in any other situation where someone else may be to blame, contact a personal injury attorney immediately. Particularly if you are slammed with hospital bills and medical expenses, a personal injury attorney will be able to investigate the situation and file a lawsuit if appropriate.

State Law

Each state has its own statute of limitations, and you may have one year, two years, or more, depending on the state in which you live. Personal injury attorneys remain abreast of their state’s statue of limitations. By completing the referral form, you will have access to a qualified attorney in your area to advise you on the time limits for your state.

The Type of Injury

Many states have specific time limits for different types of personal injury cases. For example, accidents involving product liability and wrongful death each have their own specifications.

Age of the Parties Involved

Depending on state law and on the type of injury, if a minor is injured, the countdown for pressing charges typically does not begin until he or she turns 18. On the other hand, medical malpractice may have a shorter time limit if a minor is involved.

When the Injury was Discovered

For most personal injury claims, the time limit for pressing charges starts on the day of the event that caused the injury. Alternatively, under the “discovery of harm” rule, the statute of limitations begins when the injured became (or should have reasonably become) aware of the injury and its cause.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered personal injury, you may be entitled to damages for your injury; however, your time for filing a claim is limited. Fill out our contact form to locate a skilled attorney in your area to make sure you meet your state’s statute of limitations for pressing charges.

The common cold is a contagious viral disease that infects the mucous membrane of the nose. There are more than 100 different viruses that can result in a cold, making it very difficult to find a cure. The common cold is most common during the cold winter months and affects individuals regardless of age. Most people catch a cold approximately 2 – 4 times per year.

The common cold is typically a mild infection and most individuals are able to recover in about a week without any intervention. However, sometimes the symptoms mimic other illnesses, such as influenza, and may require different treatment.

How are Colds Spread?

It is common knowledge that colds are contagious and quite easy to catch. Part of this is due to the length of time a person is contagious. An individual is contagious one day before the illness breaks out (before they even realize they’re sick) until one to three days after they feel better (people often think that the virus is gone, when in fact it is still being spread). The second stage is often when the cold virus is spread.

The first way cold infections are spread is by airborne droplets that are released whenever the sufferer coughs or sneezes. If another individual is nearby, the germs quickly travel to the that person, resulting in a new infection. A second and more common way germs are spread is when they are transferred to the sufferer’s hands when they cover their mouth and cough or sneeze and then touch other items around them. These germs are spread further when others touch the infected item, spreading the virus to their hands and then putting them close to their nose or mouth. When children have colds, they often are negligent about washing their hands after coughing or sneezing allowing the germs to spread quickly to others around them.

Symptoms of the Common Cold

There are many symptoms related to the common cold. The number of symptoms experienced and their severity will vary greatly with each cold. Some common symptoms that may be present are:

• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose (mucus gradually becomes thicker and more yellow)
• Swelling of mucus membrane
• Headache
• Coughing
• Feeling ill
• High temperature (this is more common in children)

How to Treat the Common Cold

Because of the large number of cold viruses, there is currently no cure for the common cold. If an individual has no other diseases, and the cold goes away in a week or two, there is usually no reason to see a doctor. Since the cold is caused by a virus rather than bacteria, antibiotics are not necessary.

There are many types of children’s cold medicines that are targeted to relieve the symptoms associated with the common cold, with varying results. Make sure you are informed of the dangers of these medicines before giving any of them to your child. For smaller children, no cold medicine is recommended, but parents have an option of natural remedies to help ease the discomfort from their child’s cold.

The common cold brings a variety of symptoms, most of which can be eased with safe, natural remedies. The most common cold symptoms of runny nose, stuffiness, and feeling ill are addressed on this page. Please visit our natural remedies for coughs and sore throats for additional resources.

Saline Spray

Saline spray is readily available at your local drug store and safe to use with children of all ages. Following the directions on the bottle, spray/drop a little solution into each nostril to loosen thick mucus. If your child is too small to blow their nose after the application, obtain a bulb syringe made specifically to aid in removing mucus from a small child’s nose.  When using a bulb syringe, squeeze the bulb first, then insert just the tip into the child’s nostril. When you release the bulb, the resulting suction removes the mucus.

CAUTION: Avoid any salines that contain additional decongestant active ingredients as they can be extremely harmful to children.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is an old-time remedy that really works! Part of this is due to the salt levels in the soup. Salt has anti-viral properties, which can help to fight off those nasty cold/flu symptoms. So follow Grandma’s advice and eat up!

Steam

The moisture from warm steam helps to thin the mucus and ease congestion, which is a good thing when little noses are stuffy. There are several ways to accomplish this:

• Sit in the bathroom with your child, close the door, and turn the shower on hot until the steam develops. Stay in your new “steam room” for approximately 10-15 minutes. Have your child blow their nose frequently (or use a suction bulb on younger children) to remove loosened mucus.
• Use a warm steam vaporizer (not a cool mist humidifier) to add moisture to the air.
• Add a drop of eucalyptus and lavender oil to the vaporizer for additional relief.

Upright Positions

By keeping the child in a more vertical position, with the head above the heart, you can ease congestion. This is an easy fix for children who are old enough to sleep on a pillow. For younger babies, they may require a night of TLC, being held in a more upright position while they sleep.

Sleep and Hydrate

The most basic of necessities is plenty of rest and fluids to keep your child well hydrated. Simply encouraging your child to drink plenty of water (avoid milk as it will increase congestion) and helping your child rest will allow the body to fight off this sickness more effectively.

What remedies have worked for you and your little ones? Share them by posting a comment below!

A month after the FDA changed labeling guidelines for cough and cold medications for children and a voluntary recall of those products occurred, the mother of a boy who died after taking cold medication filed a lawsuit against Walgreens and McNeill PPC, Inc., the parent company of Tylenol.

The baby, son of Dimitria Alvarez of Illinois, was four months old. He died after taking Infant Tylenol Cold Decongestant Plus Cough and Walgreen-brand Pediatric Drops-Cough Plus Cold, according to the mother. The commonality between these two drugs is that they contain dextromethorphan, which is found in many cough and cold medications, including many of those recalled.

Cold Remedy Airborne Settles Lawsuit

The makers of Airborne, a popular natural cold remedy, have agreed to refund money to consumers as part of a $23.3 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit for false advertising. The company doesn’t claim any wrongdoing or illegal conduct. Airborne contains vitamins A, C and E, magnesium, zinc, selenium, herbs and other ingredients.

The product became popular after its founder, a school teacher, appeared on Oprah. Ads for Airborne initially touted that its products could prevent and treat colds. In February, 2006, however, an ABC News report questioned the validity of a clinical trial that Airborne used as proof that the products worked. Shortly after, the false advertising lawsuit was filed.

Note: The cases cited in this article are composites of actual cases obtained from publicly available records. This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney experienced in the appropriate area of law. If you need help finding an attorney, please use the form at the upper right to contact us for a referral.

Teenagers using cough and cold medicines to get a buzz is nothing new. It began in the 70’s and is on the rise again. Not only are children and teens abusing cough medicines, but they’re learning new ways to get a quick fix and information about getting high on the web is putting many of them at risk of serious consequences.

Getting High On Cough and Cold Medicines

Over-the-counter drugs are often deemed safe since they are available to everyone without any special permission from a doctor. The public generally assumes that there are no risky side effects. This is often true when they are used according to the instructions on the labels. However, if the medicine is taken in amounts larger than the recommended dosage or for a longer period of time, they can become quite dangerous.

Teenagers have been chugging bottles of cough medicine for years to get a quick, legal high. It’s easily accessible and quite cheap for most teenagers. It’s also known as “robotripping” and the hallucinogenic high is the thrill they are looking for. The highs of some medicines are compared to that of marijuana or speed. Like many other drugs, getting high on cold medicine quickly becomes an addiction that is difficult to overcome. Even scarier is that these days the active ingredients are being sold in pure form over the Internet. These have been found available in powders to snort or pills to be swallowed.

Web sites are educating our children/teenagers about how to get high using these active ingredients, and the only way to stop it is for parents to intervene. Parents need to take an active role in educating their child or children early on about the dangers of drug abuse and monitor their behavior for any suspicious changes. Keeping a lock on the medicine cabinet is also something to consider if you’re worried your child may succumb to the temptations of trying this type of drug abuse. The drugs are legal to purchase and easy to find, so parents need to step up and put an end to this dangerous abuse.

Commonly Abused Medicines

There are a variety of medicines that contain the active ingredients many teens are using to get high. A couple of the more common ones are Nyquil, Coricidin, Benadryl and Robitussin. A common active ingredient in these medicines is dextromethorphan, also known as DXM. It is found in more than 80 over-the-counter cold medicines, making it widely available to many youth. When taken in large amounts, this additive will cause hallucinations, something the teenagers are using for a “thrill ride”.

The active ingredient, pseudoephedrine is a common decongestant found in many cold medicines. It is safe to use when taken as directed. However, large amounts can be easily converted to methamphetamine, more commonly known as “speed”. Due to the rise in abuse, many pharmacies and stores no longer have medicines containing pseudoephedrine readily available on the medicine shelves. They are still available, but are only sold in limited supply when the purchaser shows a valid ID at the pharmacy counter or a prescription has been written by a doctor.

Signs of Abuse

There are several signs that may indicate a cold medicine abuse situation, particularly with dextromethorphan. When taken in large amounts, the following can happen:

• Impaired judgment
• Euphoria
• Loss of coordination
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hot flashes
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Coma
• Respiratory depression
• Hyperactivity
• Uncontrolled talking
• Blackouts
• Uncontrollable behavior

If not caught early enough, these overdoses can lead to psychosis, brain damage, seizures and death.

Treatment for Abuse

Once an addition to cold medicines has been identified, the child/teenager will need to go through a rehabilitation program. To find a program in your area, search your yellow pages or find a program online through web sites such as Drug-Rehabs. Getting immediate help may be the difference between saving a life or losing your child to this dangerous abuse.

What Cold Medicines Can Treat

There are several common over the counter medicines, each with a specific symptom it is designed to relieve:

• Cough Syrups – These are used to help ease a cough and allow the child to rest more effectively. Few studies have been conducted that show they are effective.
• Oral Decongestants – Decongestants are used to help with stuffy noses. They can offer some relief, but have more serious side effects, so weigh your options carefully.
• Antihistamines – These medicines are developed to stop runny noses associated with allergies. They will not help a child with a cold.
• Nasal Drops/Sprays- A mild saline solution is an active ingredient in these products. They can be effective in loosening mucus to aid in easier removal. DO NOT give a child any nasal spray/drops that contain drugs as they can cause very serious side effects affecting the central nervous system and cardiovascular system, especially in small children. Inhaling these active medicines is only intended for adult use and can be fatal to a small child.
• Pain Relievers – This is a common OTC medicine and usually comes in two forms, either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It is used to help lower fevers and reduce general aches from the cold/flu. It is also a common ingredient in many cold medicines, so be careful not to give it separately as well.

It is best to use your good judgment and caution when giving your child cold medicines. Review the side effects and make an informed decision. There is a wide variety of medicines on the shelf these days and its crucial that parents be informed.

What Cold Medicines Cannot Treat

The main component that the cold medicines cannot treat is the virus itself. Common colds are caused by  viruses. While some viruses are treated using anti-viral drugs, there aren’t any currently available for the common cold. Cold viruses usually last about a week and simply need to run their course. While cold medicines may help to relieve some of the annoyances of the symptoms, they cannot stop the cold or help the child to recover faster. A typical cold virus takes about a week to get better and the best thing you can do is make sure your child stays well hydrated and gets plenty of rest. If your child’s sickness does not appear to be getting better, or worsens, contact your pediatrician as something more serious may be developing.

An overdose occurs when a child receives more than the recommended amount of an active ingredient. Some of the ways overdoses can occur include:

• A child being given two medicines containing the same active ingredient
• Receiving an additional dose
• Receiving medicine intended for an older individual
• Given a dose measured with a non-standardized method (such as a regular eating utensil)

The severity of an overdose depends on the amount consumed along with the concentration of the active ingredient.

Dangers of Overdose

The effects of overdose vary widely with the active ingredients involved. Results range from a mild case with increased irritation to a serious case that can be fatal. Each active ingredient has its own side effects that can be found on our page about active ingredients. Be especially careful with nasal decongestant sprays as just a few drops can be poisonous for a child.

Signs of an Overdose

While a child’s response to medicine will vary greatly, there are some signs you can watch for that may indicate an overdose has occurred. If you see any of the following, evaluate the need for further action immediately by contacting your poison control center or pediatrician:

• Irritability/agitation
• Drowsiness
• Increased heart rate
• Hyperactivity
• Shaking hands
• Irregular heartbeat
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

Get Help Immediately!

If your suspect your child has overdosed on a cold medication, you will need to act quickly to get help. Contact your pediatrician or poison control center for guidance on what actions to take. Either of these will be able to assist you in determining the severity of the overdose. In some cases, you may be referred to the emergency room for treatment. Wherever you turn for help, you will need to have some information available to receive the most accurate assistance and treatment:

• Bring the medicine bottle with you to verify the exact ingredients
• Have your medicine log handy or at least a rough time estimate of when the child was given the medication
• Bring information about your child’s allergies or other health conditions

Acting quickly is key as some conditions caused by an overdose can be life threatening.

Accidental Overdosing/Double-Dosing

One of the most common mistakes parents make when administering medicine to their children is giving them more than the required amount. Sometimes parents give a “little extra” in an attempt to make the medicine more effective. Where in fact, if the required dosage is not effective, chances are the medicine is not effective for your child’s symptoms and other means of finding relief will be necessary. There are several other precautions you can take to ensure your child does not become a victim of overdosing:

• Follow your doctor’s guidance to make sure that your child does not receive too much of an active ingredient; a serious and sometimes fatal mistake.
• Use the provided cups/droppers to measure all medicines. Do not use regular tableware, or estimate in a regular cup as it is not accurate and can lead to accidental overdose.
• Check the age/weight recommendations on the label and follow them carefully. The dosage for many medicine are based on weight and not just age alone.
• Avoid multi-symptom medicines as they contain several active ingredients. If any additional medicine is given, the child is at risk for the active ingredients to be present in both and being offered a double dose. If you must use OTC medicines, try using ones that only treat one symptom and have only one active ingredient. Generic versions of the medicines are sometimes better for this as they often contain only the main active ingredient, which is what the child needs.
• Keep a log to record the date/time, name of the medicine and the amount given for each dose of medicine that is administered. Share the log with anyone else who is caring for your child and require that they update it as well.
• Monitor the number of doses given to your child each day. Offering an extra dose, even though a certain number of hours has passed can be dangerous when they have already reached the limit for the number of doses that day.

Ignoring Age Requirements

Read all medicine packaging carefully as sometimes medicines are marketed to look as though they are safe for small children, when in fact they are intended for much older children. According to the FDA, NO CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 2 should receive cold medicines without the specific instructions of a pediatrician. These medicines are not deemed safe for small children and should be avoided.

Many children’s medicines are labeled safe for children ages 6-12. If your child is between the ages of 2-6, you will need to find a medicine appropriate for their age. It is not safe to give a smaller dose of a medicine intended for older children. If you cannot find any medicine to match your child’s age/weight/symptoms, refer to our natural remedies for other options, or contact your pediatrician.

Treating More Than Necessary

If your child has a runny nose, then all they need in their cold medicine is an active ingredient for congestion. Avoid medicines that treat runny nose along with coughs, fevers, sore throat, etc. as they will give your child more active ingredients than what they need. When it comes to medicine, less is more. Target the main symptoms you wish to treat and find a medicine that treats only those symptoms.

Dangerous Active Ingredients

Active ingredients are the component of cold medicines that make them effective; however, there are often side effects that can be dangerous to young children. For more information on this, see our information on active ingredients.

Extended Use

All over the counter medicines offer guidelines about the length of time it is safe to use the medicine. If this time has passed and your child is still feeling ill, then it is time to make an appointment to see the doctor. The cold may have evolved into something more serious that needs a prescription and further care.

Using OTC Cold Medicines to Get High

There has been an increasing number of instances in which teenagers are using medicines for other purposes than to treat cold symptoms. This is a growing concern and one that all parents should be aware of. We offer more information about the misuse of OTC drugs and signs of misuse to help make parents aware of this growing problem.