What should I do if a child has a cold and fever?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

Children's colds and fevers are caused by viral or bacterial infections, with the vast majority being viral infections. First, we need to ensure that the child is well-hydrated and also manage the symptoms. When the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, administer antipyretic medication to the child, such as ibuprofen suspension or acetaminophen. The interval between doses of these medications should be at least six hours. Additionally, give the child cold relief granules to alleviate the symptoms of the cold. When the body temperature is below 38.5 degrees Celsius, physical cooling methods can be applied, such as using fever-reducing patches, taking lukewarm baths, or wiping the forehead, neck, armpits, and groin—areas where large blood vessels are located—with a warm towel. Throughout the process, it is very important to keep the child hydrated. If the child's cold and fever persist, a complete blood count should be performed to check for a bacterial infection. If a bacterial infection is present, treatment with antibiotics should be administered under the guidance of a hospital doctor, based on the child’s condition. Controlling the infection is essential for reducing the fever and bringing the child's temperature down, ultimately helping the child return to normal.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What medicine should a child take for cough and cold?

If children develop a cough due to a cold, like occasional mild coughing, slight nasal congestion, and runny nose, without obvious fever, and they maintain a good spirit and appetite, parents do not need to worry too much. Let the children rest appropriately, drink more warm water, and eat a light, easily digestible, and nutritious diet. A common viral cold generally has a certain self-healing capability. However, if the cough is more severe with noticeable phlegm, a significant decline in spirits, or if high fever occurs, it is then essential to visit a hospital promptly for doctors to treat the child based on their condition. Typically, children should not take cold medicines that are meant for adults, as these can have significant side effects on children. A usual viral cold infection tends to be self-limiting, so parents should closely monitor the progress of the illness, and seek medical attention promptly if the condition worsens.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
41sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
46sec home-news-image

What foods are good for children with a cold?

Children's colds are acute upper respiratory infections, and children can have rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc. Most are caused by viral infections and are self-limiting. Therefore, during a cold, it is important to ensure that the child drinks plenty of water, rests a lot, eats more green vegetables, and supplements some vitamins. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding heavy meals with large fish and meat, as well as snacks, sweets, and even puffed food. It is very helpful for the recovery from a cold to eat more fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C. Also, drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of rest are very important.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
1min 18sec home-news-image

Why do children have stomachaches when they catch a cold?

Colds are usually caused by viral infections, and may be accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes. Abdominal pain caused by colds in children is often considered to be mesenteric lymphadenitis. This means that the virus causing the cold leads to the swelling of the lymph nodes around the intestines, which in turn can cause abdominal pain. There are generally two ways to alleviate this condition. One is to use oral pain relief medications, where children typically use traditional Chinese medicine orally, and do not take Western medicine, such as Yuanhu Zhitong Drops. Another method is to apply heat. At the same time, it is essential to ensure that the gastrointestinal tract is functioning well during a cold. Gastrointestinal dysfunction during a cold can also cause abdominal pain. Therefore, the diet should consist of warm, liquid, and easily digestible foods. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
44sec home-news-image

What medicine should a child take for vomiting and a cold?

When a child has a cold and shows symptoms of vomiting, it is likely due to acute gastrointestinal symptoms. In this case, oral medications to protect the stomach, such as bifidobacterium, cimetidine, omeprazole, or other antiemetic drugs can be administered. Additionally, it is important to check if there are symptoms of tonsillitis or throat inflammation, as inflammation of the tonsils or throat can stimulate the gag reflex and also cause reflex vomiting. In this situation, the first step should be to control the symptoms of the throat and tonsils, which will gradually improve the vomiting. Also, pay attention to the child's body temperature and their mental responses.