I know this in not an allergy question but it was the closest to the topic I wanted to talk about.  I would like to request Dr Tim Johnson to address colds in very young children.  Since we stopped giving them cough medicines we have very few options for relief ie. the humidifier, benadryl and plenty of fluids to help ease the cold and cough symptoms.  Our two children 3 1/2 and 1 1/2, NOw almost 4 and 2 yrs old) have had colds/cough for 7 months since school started last year in september.  We have had a few ER visits, numerous doctor visits almost weekly, and plenty of unnecessary medication ie albuterol in the nebulizer, pulmicort taken daily, prednisolone, antibiotics.  I call this unnecessary because this should not be the way to take care of colds.  These medications only depress the children's immune systems further.  I have had it said that the more colds they have the better their immunity gets.  But in our case, I am beginning to think that this is all a myth.
Our son has had to have ear surgery to get tubes due to numerous ear infections.  All these experiences due to common colds and cough and a lack of a better way to take care of the problem.  I feel let down by the medical community.  Two days ago our son developed severe dry cough and at around 1a.m I called the nurseline for advice.  Her advice was they now do not suggest giving benadryl for colds.  "Take him to the ER". Not too long ago benadryl was the drug of choice and here we are in another limbo. I am totally frustrated and with us expecting our third child next month, I worry about the next cold/flu season.  Clearly colds/cough in infants and young children is more severe than that of adults.  Medical advice on taking care of the children is very disappointing and inconsistent. 
Now the medicals bills, in the thousands of dollars, are coming in actually they have been coming since January.  Outrageous is all I can say about them and for what...common colds/cough.  The medical system and profession has failed us.  We have now resorted to searching for natural ways to take care of the children's colds on our own.  I am very disappointed by our healthcare providers.