Do children with colds need to take cephalosporins?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Common colds in children are generally divided into bacterial colds and viral colds, with the majority being viral colds. For viral colds, it is mainly important to monitor body temperature and mental state, among other conditions. If there is a high fever, fever-reducing measures should be taken, and some antipyretic and detoxifying medications may be administered. If a bacterial cold is considered, such as acute tonsillitis caused by streptococcal infection, the use of sensitive antibiotics, such as cefaclor or cefixime, should be added to the treatment. Therefore, not all colds require cefaclor, but if the upper respiratory infection is caused by bacterial infection, cefaclor-type medications are needed for treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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What to do if a child has a cold and is short of breath?

There are two common causes of shortness of breath in children with colds, and the corresponding treatments are as follows: First, shortness of breath in children with colds is mainly due to respiratory obstruction caused by cold symptoms, leading to blockages in the nasal mucosa. This can easily lead to breathing difficulties, so shortness of breath occurs. We can use warm, damp towels or drop vitamin AD drops into the nasal cavity, among other methods. A warm, damp towel can be placed near the nasal cavity, and the principle of water vapor evaporation can effectively alleviate the blockage of the nasal mucosa. Dropping vitamin AD drops into the nasal cavity can also effectively moisten and lubricate the nasal mucosa, relieving nasal blockages and thus improving symptoms of shortness of breath from a cold. The second cause of shortness of breath from a cold is due to myocarditis or cardiac damage following a viral cold. For mild cases, oral medications that nourish the heart muscle should be administered for treatment, and children must ensure they rest and avoid strenuous activity. For severe cases, intravenous infusions and medications that nourish the heart muscle are needed for treatment. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What are the symptoms of viral colds in children?

Symptoms of viral cold in children include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, cough with phlegm, fever, headache, body aches, and sore throat. When having a cold, it is important to rest first, avoid strenuous exercise, and allow the body to focus its resources on the functioning of the immune system. It is also important to drink plenty of water, as all immune mechanisms rely on sufficient water. Drinking more water leads to more urination, which increases the excretion of water-soluble vitamins, so it is necessary to adequately supplement water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin B. Fruits and vegetables are preferred. Additionally, symptomatic medication treatment should be applied.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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How to treat a child's cold with a stuffy nose

When children catch a cold, they may exhibit symptoms such as fever, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If a child's nasal congestion is severe and the nose is blocked, we can apply a warm towel to the root of the nose for a hot compress, or gently remove the nasal secretions using a small cotton swab. It is also possible to apply some nasal ointment at the vestibule of the nose to improve air passage. At the same time, it is advised to administer cold medicine for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What to do if a child has a cold and ear pain?

Children catching a cold indicates that they have an acute upper respiratory tract infection, which is mostly caused by viral infections, while others are caused by bacteria or mycoplasma infections. If a child experiences ear pain after catching a cold, we must be highly vigilant about whether the cold has caused otitis media. It is essential to take the child to an otolaryngology clinic promptly, allowing the doctor to examine the painful ear with an otoscope. If it is confirmed that the child has otitis media, treatment should be administered based on the type of otitis media, such as serous otitis media or bacterial otitis media. With active treatment, the problem of ear pain can be quickly alleviated and cured.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
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Will children with colds have recurrent low-grade fever?

Children with a cold may experience recurrent low fevers. In children, colds are generally caused by viral infections, such as rhinoviruses, common coronaviruses, etc. The symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, etc., and the duration of the illness is mostly three to five days, usually not exceeding a week. Therefore, during the course of the illness, the symptoms of a cold may recur. During the illness, fever-reducing measures are taken, such as physical cooling and medication. However, after the fever subsides, it may recur, which is a normal phenomenon.