Why do children have stomachaches when they catch a cold?

Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on March 29, 2025
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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.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Which department should a child visit for a cold?

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 Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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Can children with a cold drink milk?

Children can drink some milk when they have a cold, but be sure to only give it in moderate amounts. After catching a cold, a child's respiratory tract may show signs of congestion and swelling among other inflammatory symptoms. Milk is rich in nutrients, including a large amount of protein which can help enhance the child's immune resistance, so it's appropriate to drink some in moderation. However, care must be taken not to drink too much because the digestive system of a child with a cold can be quite fragile. Drinking too much can easily overburden the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the child's digestion and absorption. During a cold, it is advisable to provide the child with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and to encourage them to drink plenty of warm water.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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Is it good for children to sweat while sleeping when they have a cold?

If a child sweats while sleeping during a cold, it is generally not a cause for concern. First, children usually do not have a fever when they sweat during sleep at night. Therefore, when there is a fever, sweating usually does not occur. Parents only need to pay attention to promptly changing sweat-dampened clothes and avoiding getting chilled after sweating. The second situation of sweating during a cold in children may indicate that the body has become relatively weak, or that the cold has led to phenomena such as calcium deficiency or an exacerbation of insufficient vitamin D in daily life. In such cases, where night sweating occurs, parents should promptly provide appropriate supplements of trace elements like calcium and vitamin D based on the child’s symptoms. They should also ensure a balanced and reasonable diet and sufficient sleep to aid the recovery from the illness.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What to do for quick relief of nasal congestion in children with a cold?

A minor cold with nasal congestion is likely caused by a viral infection leading to swelling of the nasal mucosa, and thus, blocking the nasal passages. For quick relief, we can initially take oral medications such as children's acetaminophen-diphenhydramine granules, etc., which can promote the contraction of the nasal mucosa. Additionally, antiviral oral solutions can be taken for antiviral treatment. Locally, a 3% sodium chloride solution can be used for nasal drops to promote the contraction of the nasal mucosa, or physiological seawater nasal drops can also be used for the same purpose. Furthermore, physiological saline can be used to wash the nasal cavity, and then a nasal aspirator can be used to clean the secretions inside the nasal cavity, which also helps to clear the nasal passages.

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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.)