Can a cold in children cause encephalitis?

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on May 24, 2025
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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 Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What should I do if a child has a cold and fever?

Children's colds and fevers are caused by viral or bacterial infections, with the vast majority being viral infections. First, we need to ensure that the child is well-hydrated and also manage the symptoms. When the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, administer antipyretic medication to the child, such as ibuprofen suspension or acetaminophen. The interval between doses of these medications should be at least six hours. Additionally, give the child cold relief granules to alleviate the symptoms of the cold. When the body temperature is below 38.5 degrees Celsius, physical cooling methods can be applied, such as using fever-reducing patches, taking lukewarm baths, or wiping the forehead, neck, armpits, and groin—areas where large blood vessels are located—with a warm towel. Throughout the process, it is very important to keep the child hydrated. If the child's cold and fever persist, a complete blood count should be performed to check for a bacterial infection. If a bacterial infection is present, treatment with antibiotics should be administered under the guidance of a hospital doctor, based on the child’s condition. Controlling the infection is essential for reducing the fever and bringing the child's temperature down, ultimately helping the child return to normal.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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What to do if a child has a cold with nausea and vomiting?

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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
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How effective is Xiao'er Ganmao Ning Heji?

Xiao'er Ganmao Ning combination is a non-prescription medication with Chinese herbal ingredients, used for treating colds in children. It is primarily used for symptoms such as fever and cough. It can be administered to children experiencing nasal congestion, runny nose, coughs, and throat discomfort, and it generally has a good therapeutic effect. While taking Xiao'er Ganmao Ning, it is essential to ensure the child drinks plenty of water. Additionally, if a bacterial infection or tracheitis has developed due to the cold, treatment should be combined with other medications based on the child's specific condition. Overall, Xiao'er Ganmao Ning mixture is a viable option for treating common colds in children and can effectively achieve the intended treatment goals. (Note: The answer is for reference only. Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician, and blind medication should be avoided.)

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

Pediatric colds can be divided into viral colds and bacterial infections that cause upper respiratory tract symptoms. Generally speaking, 90% of cases are commonly viral colds. Viral colds are mainly treated symptomatically. Appropriate antiviral medications can be used, and antipyretics can be given during fevers. Also, drinking plenty of warm water and using some Chinese patent medicines for clearing heat and detoxifying can be sufficient. However, if the viral infection lasts a long time, it can easily lead to a secondary bacterial infection. In such cases, antibiotics can be used. Initially, oral penicillin antibiotics should be chosen, and cephalosporin antibiotics can also be selected for anti-infection treatment. If considering bacterial infection causing upper respiratory tract infection, such as acute tonsillitis caused by streptococcus infection, oral penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics for anti-infection treatment can be used. Therefore, it is essential to choose medications based on the specific situation. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)