For kids with a corn allergy, cold and flu season takes on a new difficulty and danger. Many liquid medicines (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) contain corn syrup and their tablet or orally disintegrating tablets contain corn starch or corn syrup solids. Therefore, again, reading labels is VERY important. Make sure to check inactive ingredients as well as active ones.
A good amount of my effort is spent on prevention. Sissy takes a probiotic every day - this was recommended by her allergist - we drink lots of water, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Milk, exercise and a good night sleep every night. Sometimes we struggle with the sleep, so Sissy and D.B. both take 1 mg of Melatonin each night before bed - this was recommended by their pediatrician. I encourage playing outside in the sun to promote activity and help in the acquisition of vitamin D. We don't take vitamin pills, because it has been quite difficult to find ones without corn. All those things that our moms told us to do are surprisingly effective in preventing illness. I try to enforce hand washing and keeping our fingers out of our noses, but, with a 6 and 3 year old, that is a constant up-hill battle. I mean if the Queen does it........
Here's the thing, no matter how much prevention you cram into your daily lives, kids are going to get sick; Sissy did this last week. When you can't rely on the pharmacy department at Safeway, it's easy to get overwhelmed. So I went old school. Push fluids, stay in bed (watching cartoons of course) orange juice (Vitamin C and Folic Acid). For a super stuffy nose, we went in the bathroom, closed the door and turned on the hot water. A little steam therapy and the stuffiness had subsided. Turmeric is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. So for a cut I use turmeric, for a sore in the mouth I mix a little honey with turmeric and apply as needed - honey is a natural anti-microbial and has even (according to some studies) shown effective for MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
I make my own cough syrup. Remember that a lukewarm bath, a glass of ice water and a pop-sicle will effectively bring down a fever. Be sure that you are in contact with your doctor. If your child's fever won't come down or they have trouble breathing, get your child to the doctor ASAP PDQ Right darn now. Before you start your child on probiotics, Melatonin or other over the counter remedies, please consult with your doctor or pediatrician. Using home remedies is not a way to exclude your physician - they still need to be involved, but when you explain why you are using these home remedies and what they are, your Doctor should be able to give you other ideas as well.
According to Big Poppa, my homemade cough syrup tastes like feet (although the kids never mind taking it) so here is the recipe for...
Foot Funk Cough Syrup 
1 large onion - sliced
Approximately 12 oz. of honey (CHECK LABEL! Sometimes you find "honey product" which contains corn products)
1 Jar with tight sealing lid
Layer the slices of onion in the bottom of the jar and cover with honey. Seal jar tightly and shake well.Leave it on the counter and shake it every time you walk by. It will take about 8 hours for the onion to break down and thin out the honey.
Give 1 Tbs. four times a day.
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