Statistics show that nearly 1 billion people in the United States come down with a cold each year. Consider those numbers, it’s likely that many parents each year will treat a child who has a cold while deciding whether to visit walk in clinics or give them care at home. If your child has come down with a cold, it’s important to make sure that they are properly cared for. That being said, it’s understandable for parents to have a hard time separating fact from fiction when it comes to cold prevention and treatment. Considering that, here are three myths about the common cold.

1. Children Shouldn’t Cough
   
   While coughing with an open mouth can spread germs, you definitely don’t want to discourage your child from coughing. In many cases, those with colds simply can’t control their coughing. In addition, coughs are actually a good thing due to the fact that they allow the body to rid itself of mucus. This is same mucus that is continuing to cause your child to feel under the weather.
2. You Must Have Antibiotics
   
   The world of medicine can sometimes seem confusing. For instance, you’ve probably received antibiotics multiple times throughout your life. With that in mind, it’s important to know that antibiotics are made to kill bacteria and not viruses. Therefore, someone who has a cold won’t receive any benefit from taking antibiotics. Walk in clinics might be able to give your child to help them recover from a cold faster or in a more pleasant manner but what is prescribed will not be antibiotics.
3. Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever
   
   You’ve probably heard this expression throughout your life. That being said, you don’t want to starve out a cold. Your child needs food in order to have the energy needed to fight off a sickness. Considering that, don’t panic if your child isn’t as hungry as normal while they’re sick with a cold. You’ll still want to make sure that your child regularly eats and drinks fluids, no matter how much they protest your decision.

To summarize, there are several myths about the common cold which simply aren’t true. Statistics show that the average child will catch anywhere between six to ten colds per year. That being said, it’s understandable to confuse a cold with something that could be more serious. Therefore, it’s wise to consider taking your child to an urgent care center if what seem to be cold symptoms begin to linger. These walk in clinics are extremely popular choices for those seeking fast and efficient medical care. In fact, nearly 3 million patients across the United States visit urgent care centers each week.