Can a cold in children cause encephalitis?

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on May 24, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
50sec home-news-image

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.

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 Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
52sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Qin Liang
Pediatrics
41sec home-news-image

Is rectal administration good for children with colds?

Rectal administration of medicine is not a treatment method used in formal hospitals; it is typically used for sedation or certain gastrointestinal disorders, requiring enema treatment. In some smaller clinics, enemas and rectal administration of medication might be used to treat children's fever and colds, which is an irregular treatment method and is best avoided. This may cause damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa and lead to disorders such as diarrhea. Therefore, formal hospitals do not recommend using rectal administration to treat common issues like children's colds and fevers. Moreover, this method could potentially lead to side effects from the medication, affecting body functions.

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.)