Is it good for children to take a bath when they have a cold?

Written by Quan Xiang Mei

Pediatrics

Updated on April 28, 2025

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When a child has a cold and the symptoms are mild, the child is in good condition, not experiencing high fever, and has no shivering, then it is acceptable for the child to take a bath. Bathing poses no problem and can even help reduce mild fever. However, if the child has a high fever, shivering, physical weakness, discomfort, or symptoms such as rashes, it is advisable not to bathe the child. Bathing a child who is shivering can sometimes lead to higher fevers, convulsions, or seizures. Therefore, whether or not a child can bathe should be determined based on their specific condition.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei

Pediatrics

57sec

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How to treat a child's cold and cough?

For upper respiratory infections in children causing colds and coughs, the treatment approach should vary based on the child's age, as well as the severity and duration of the illness. For mild cases with less severe symptoms, treatment can be administered at home including frequent hydration, drinking plenty of water, and symptomatic oral administration of expectorants and cough suppressants. If the child's cold and cough symptoms are more severe, with significant coughing and phlegm, and are even affecting the child's sleep, it is typically recommended for parents to take their child to the hospital for blood tests. These tests may include a complete blood count, Mycoplasma testing, or a C-reactive protein test, to identify the specific cause of the cold and cough, and to enable targeted treatment. (Note: The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min 4sec

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How many days will it take for a child to recover from a cold?

How long it takes for a child to recover from a cold depends on the specific circumstances. If it's just a minor cold, like a common viral cold with symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing, the symptoms can generally be controlled within about 3 to 5 days. However, if the child's cold symptoms are more severe, including high fever, coughing, and a runny nose, it could take longer, possibly 5 to 7 days or more. This is because some colds can lead to bronchitis or even develop into pneumonia. It is difficult to specify an exact duration in such cases. For instance, bronchitis generally requires about 5 to 7 days of treatment to control the symptoms. If pneumonia is involved, the recovery might take even longer, around 7 to 10 days or up to 2 weeks. Therefore, an assessment based on the child's specific condition is needed to estimate how long it might take to recover. A typical mild cold can usually have its symptoms controlled within about 3 to 5 days.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang

Pediatrics

51sec

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Can a cold in children cause encephalitis?

Colds in children can potentially lead to encephalitis, and are generally referred to as upper respiratory tract infections in children. The pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, etc., typically manifesting as fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and more. Sometimes, gastroenteric colds can also manifest as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. Because children have relatively lower immunity, if the infecting pathogen is highly toxic and aggressive, it can potentially cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain tissue, causing encephalitis. When encephalitis occurs in children, symptoms such as fever, seizures, and coma can appear, and neurological signs may be observed upon examination.

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Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

50sec

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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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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.