Why does a child's cold not get better?

Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on May 10, 2025
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Children often have persistent colds, which in many cases are related to improper care by parents, as well as poor immune function in the children themselves. Parents fail to adjust their children's clothing based on environmental changes in a timely manner, leading to frequent colds and recurrent colds. Secondly, due to poor immune function in children, they may constantly suffer from colds. Traditional Chinese medicine methods such as massage can be used to enhance children's immunity. In daily life, appropriate increases in outdoor sports activities can also help boost immunity. Additionally, administering oral medications that enhance immune function can improve the child's own immunity, thus avoiding the persistent occurrence of colds and preventing the onset of colds.

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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.)

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
1min 14sec home-news-image

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.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can children with a cold eat eggs?

When a child has a cold, the diet should definitely be light, offering easily digestible foods. If the baby does not have a fever, eggs can be consumed in moderate amounts as they provide a rich source of protein, phospholipids, vitamins, and other nutrients. However, if the baby has a fever, it is best to avoid giving them eggs because eggs are relatively hard to digest and rich in protein and phospholipids, which can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, a fever can affect digestive functions, which is not conducive to the baby's recovery. Therefore, it should be determined based on the situation.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
1min 32sec home-news-image

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.