Which department should a child visit for a cold?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 06, 2024
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If a child has a cold and is being seen at a general hospital, it is advisable to visit the pediatrics department. However, if the child has a persistent high fever and the condition is urgent, a visit to the pediatric emergency department is recommended. If it's a children's specialty hospital, it would be advisable to visit the pediatric respiratory department, the emergency department, or the fever clinic. Generally, colds are caused by viral infections, though some are caused by bacterial infections. Most fevers can last from three to five days. Therefore, we should not be too hasty and should focus on symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can children with a cold eat eggs?

When a child has a cold, the diet should definitely be light, offering easily digestible foods. If the baby does not have a fever, eggs can be consumed in moderate amounts as they provide a rich source of protein, phospholipids, vitamins, and other nutrients. However, if the baby has a fever, it is best to avoid giving them eggs because eggs are relatively hard to digest and rich in protein and phospholipids, which can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, a fever can affect digestive functions, which is not conducive to the baby's recovery. Therefore, it should be determined based on the situation.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What should I do if a child has a cold with a persistent high fever?

For a minor cold accompanied by persistent high fever, firstly, it is essential to monitor body temperature. If the fever continues, the initial step should be to reduce the fever, which can be done by taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen orally every 4 to 6 hours as required. Additionally, physical cooling methods such as tepid sponge baths, warm baths, and drinking warm water can also be used. If the fever persists or recurs, it's crucial to visit a hospital for routine blood tests and C-reactive protein assessments to evaluate the condition and determine whether it is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. If a bacterial infection is suspected, sensitive antibiotics should be used to treat the infection. If a viral infection is considered to be the cause of the ongoing fever, treatment should primarily focus on fever reduction. Attention should also be paid to mental responses and changes in body temperature.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What should I do if a child has a cold and an earache?

When a child catches a cold, it indicates that the child has an acute upper respiratory tract infection. About 90% of acute upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viral infections, and approximately 10% are caused by bacterial infections. It is important to actively deal with a child's cold. If a child experiences ear pain during the cold, it is essential to take the child to an otolaryngologist to check their ears, as acute otitis media is the most common complication after a cold. The child may develop acute serous otitis media, and if not promptly treated, it can lead to rupture or perforation of the eardrum. Therefore, it is crucial to rule out otitis media when a child with a cold experiences ear pain. If otitis media is ruled out and the child still has ear pain, it may simply be a symptom of the cold.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Do children with colds need to take cephalosporins?

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 Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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Symptoms and treatment of wind-heat cold in children

The symptoms of wind-heat cold in children mainly include coughing, coughing up purulent sputum, yellow sputum, or having a runny nose with yellow discharge. The child's tongue coating tends to be yellow and thick. This condition is considered a wind-heat cold. It is suggested to give the child some heat-clearing and detoxifying patent Chinese medicines for treatment. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding overly greasy and spicy foods. The child's diet should include more fresh vegetables and fruits. In terms of treatment, the child should drink plenty of warm water and take some heat-clearing and detoxifying patent Chinese medicines. If the condition persists for more than three days, it is recommended to perform a routine blood test. If the white blood cell count is high, it is necessary to administer antibiotics to the child.