FDA warns of cold medicine for children under 6

Apparently side effects can be life threatening for many cold remedies for children under 2, maybe even up to 6 years old. Something to keep in mind for parents during cold and flu season. They point out, all cold remedies by definition treat symptoms and do not heal the child any quicker since it is a virus.

The reason: There's no evidence that these oral drugs actually ease cold symptoms in children so young -- some studies suggest they do no good at all. And while serious side effects are fairly rare, they do occur.

Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year reported that more than 1,500 babies and toddlers wound up in emergency rooms over a two-year period because of the drugs.

The medication culture has its limits ....