What to do when a one-year-old baby has a cold?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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For treating a cold in a one-year-old baby, we mainly handle symptoms as they appear. If the baby has only occasional mild coughing or a slight fever, if they can eat and drink, and if their spirits are good, then parents don't need to worry too much, and special treatment generally isn't necessary. However, if the baby has a severe cough that affects their breathing, a fever over 38 degrees Celsius, and their spirits are not good, it is important to take the baby to the hospital for timely treatment. It's important to emphasize that parents should not arbitrarily use medications to treat the baby, as many cold medicines intended for adults should not be used for babies.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
53sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have a cold with headache and fever?

When experiencing symptoms of a cold such as headache and fever, one should first measure their body temperature and adopt corresponding treatment measures based on the severity of the fever. Fever can cause headaches, fatigue, body aches, and may even lead to complications like nausea and vomiting. If the body temperature does not exceed 38℃ (100.4°F), one can take vitamin supplements, drink ginger tea, and use physical methods to reduce fever. If the body temperature is above 38℃ (100.4°F), one may consider taking antipyretic and pain-relieving medications like ibuprofen or aspirin to alleviate symptoms. Generally, once the body temperature returns to normal, headache symptoms will gradually improve or disappear. (The use of medications should be based on specific conditions and under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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What is wind-heat cold?

Wind-heat cold is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine, referring to a type of cold caused by the invasion of heat into the body. Clinically, it mainly presents with symptoms such as coughing, coughing up purulent sputum, thick and abundant sputum that is difficult to expel, as well as high fever with chills. The body temperature can reach above 39°C within a few hours, and there may also be headaches, dizziness, sore limbs, fatigue, and sore, swollen throat. Therefore, patients with wind-heat cold should drink plenty of water and take some heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese patent medicines orally. For patients with a body temperature higher than 38.5°C, antipyretic medication such as ibuprofen should be taken orally to reduce the temperature back to normal. In daily life, it is important to focus on a light diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Is it normal for a baby to urinate less when they have a cold?

If a baby catches a cold, it might affect their gastrointestinal function, followed by a noticeable decrease in milk intake. Furthermore, if the baby is uncomfortable, they may become fussy and cry more than usual, which can lead to increased insensible water loss. In such cases, the baby with a cold might experience less frequent urination. This is generally considered normal. However, if the baby's urination decreases but their milk intake and other conditions are stable, parents should check for swelling in the eyelids or lower limbs. If swelling occurs, it is definitely abnormal, and medical attention should be sought promptly. The doctor will conduct specific examinations based on the baby's condition and decide if treatment is necessary.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What are some cold medicines for babies?

When a baby catches a cold, it indicates that the child has an acute upper respiratory infection, which is mostly caused by viral infections, with about 10% due to bacterial infections. Therefore, when a child catches a cold, it is crucial to ensure they rest adequately and take some cold medications. The commonly used cold medications primarily involve symptomatic treatments. For high fever, antipyretic analgesics can be administered, and physical cooling measures such as cold compresses may also be applied. When a child experiences febrile convulsions, sedatives and anticonvulsants should be given; for nasal congestion, topical medications can be applied to alleviate nasal congestion. If the child’s throat is uncomfortable, throat lozenges can be taken. For the common cold, antiviral drugs do not have a specialized therapeutic effect. Thus, drinking more water is advisable. If it is confirmed that the cold is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics should be administered under the guidance of a hospital doctor. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medications should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician. Do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Wu Xiao Sheng
Pulmonology
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Can Banlangen treat a cold?

Banlangen belongs to the category of Chinese medicine. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, Banlangen has certain effects on treating the common cold, meaning it can be used to treat colds. For example, Banlan根 is most commonly used to treat colds, mainly treating wind-heat type colds, and its effectiveness for colds due to wind-cold or summer dampness is relatively poor or non-existent. However, from the perspective of modern medicine, the common cold is often caused by viral infections of the respiratory system, classified as acute upper respiratory infection, which can cause symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Therefore, a combination of medications is used to improve the clinical symptoms of a cold. Common medications include compound paracetamol and amantadine, Mameimin tablets, etc. Banlangen is generally not used for treatment. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)