What to do if a child has a cold and is short of breath?

Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on November 01, 2024
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There are two common causes of shortness of breath in children with colds, and the corresponding treatments are as follows:

First, shortness of breath in children with colds is mainly due to respiratory obstruction caused by cold symptoms, leading to blockages in the nasal mucosa. This can easily lead to breathing difficulties, so shortness of breath occurs. We can use warm, damp towels or drop vitamin AD drops into the nasal cavity, among other methods. A warm, damp towel can be placed near the nasal cavity, and the principle of water vapor evaporation can effectively alleviate the blockage of the nasal mucosa. Dropping vitamin AD drops into the nasal cavity can also effectively moisten and lubricate the nasal mucosa, relieving nasal blockages and thus improving symptoms of shortness of breath from a cold.

The second cause of shortness of breath from a cold is due to myocarditis or cardiac damage following a viral cold. For mild cases, oral medications that nourish the heart muscle should be administered for treatment, and children must ensure they rest and avoid strenuous activity. For severe cases, intravenous infusions and medications that nourish the heart muscle are needed for treatment.

(Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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Which department should a child visit for a cold?

If a child has a cold and is being seen at a general hospital, it is advisable to visit the pediatrics department. However, if the child has a persistent high fever and the condition is urgent, a visit to the pediatric emergency department is recommended. If it's a children's specialty hospital, it would be advisable to visit the pediatric respiratory department, the emergency department, or the fever clinic. Generally, colds are caused by viral infections, though some are caused by bacterial infections. Most fevers can last from three to five days. Therefore, we should not be too hasty and should focus on symptomatic treatment.

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How to determine whether a child's cold is caused by a virus or bacteria

When determining whether a child's cold is caused by a viral infection or a bacterial infection, you can take the child to the hospital for a routine blood test. In most cases, it is caused by a viral infection. Combined with the routine blood test, if there is an increase in white blood cell count and neutrophil count, it usually indicates a bacterial infection. If the white blood cell count is normal, or low, along with an increase in lymphocyte count or percentage, it usually indicates a viral infection. Alternatively, combining this with a C-reactive protein test, if the C-reactive protein level significantly multiplies, then it indicates a bacterial infection.

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How to treat children's colds, coughs, and phlegm

When children catch a cold and cough with phlegm, the first consideration should be whether there is bronchitis. If the cough is severe, expectorant and cough suppressing medications can be administered orally, such as traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine, for example, ambroxol. Additionally, bronchitis might be accompanied by a bacterial infection, in which case anti-inflammatory drugs like cephalosporins or penicillin can be prescribed. Nebulizer treatment can also be used, which helps in thinning the mucus and suppressing cough. Furthermore, it might be necessary to conduct a routine blood test to assess the child's condition.

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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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Do children with colds need to take cephalosporins?

Common colds in children are generally divided into bacterial colds and viral colds, with the majority being viral colds. For viral colds, it is mainly important to monitor body temperature and mental state, among other conditions. If there is a high fever, fever-reducing measures should be taken, and some antipyretic and detoxifying medications may be administered. If a bacterial cold is considered, such as acute tonsillitis caused by streptococcal infection, the use of sensitive antibiotics, such as cefaclor or cefixime, should be added to the treatment. Therefore, not all colds require cefaclor, but if the upper respiratory infection is caused by bacterial infection, cefaclor-type medications are needed for treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)