What to do if a child has a cold with nausea and vomiting?

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on December 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

Childhood colds refer to a general term for upper respiratory infections in children, including wind-cold colds, wind-heat colds, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, and more. They are caused by infections from various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, etc., and symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. When children experience a cold accompanied by nausea and vomiting symptoms, it is referred to as a gastroenteric type of cold, and treatments can include antiemetics and adjustments to gastrointestinal function. However, it is also important to consider whether there are surgical conditions. If the child exhibits abdominal distension, poor mental state, or frequent vomiting, it is advisable to go to the hospital for examinations such as X-rays to rule out symptoms like intestinal obstruction.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
57sec home-news-image

What to do if a child has a cold and lacks energy?

Children may experience digestive discomfort during illness, along with symptoms such as listlessness, drowsiness, and others. If these symptoms do not persist for a long time, they are typically not considered clinically as indicative of heart damage or myocarditis. In such cases, it is advisable for the child to rest at home, consume a light and liquid diet, and wait for recovery from the illness, which will naturally improve their spirits. However, if a child has a cold with extreme listlessness and feels very uncomfortable, it may be necessary to conduct a detailed blood test in a hospital to determine if there is any heart damage, myocarditis, or other special conditions. In principle, medical intervention with medications may be necessary for healing when required.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
1min 1sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
57sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

Why do children with colds have a lot of eye discharge?

Increased eye discharge in children with colds is primarily due to congestion and swelling of the nasal mucosa during a cold, which blocks the nasolacrimal duct. At the same time, pathogenic microorganisms from the nasal cavity can enter the eyes through the nasolacrimal duct, causing conjunctivitis, which leads to increased eye discharge. Therefore, when a child shows symptoms of a cold, it is important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the eyes. If nasal congestion is severe, medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor to reduce the chance of developing conjunctivitis. If there is excessive eye discharge, eye drops can be used locally to alleviate the symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
57sec home-news-image

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.)