How to treat a cold in children

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on January 28, 2025
00:00
00:00

Pediatric colds, also known as upper respiratory tract infections in children, are the most common illnesses among children. They primarily manifest as inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, nasopharynx, and throat, which can lead to conditions such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, and acute tonsillitis. Collectively, these are referred to as upper respiratory tract infections, or simply pediatric colds. The treatment of pediatric colds mainly focuses on preparing for and preventing complications. Secondly, symptomatic treatment is essential. When a child has a high fever, antipyretics should be taken, and physical cooling can be achieved through cold compresses, or warm moist compresses. Children with febrile convulsions should be given sedatives and antispasmodics while reducing the fever. For significant nasal congestion, local medications can be used, or physiological saline water can be used to rinse the nose. For throat pain, throat lozenges can be taken, or sprays that alleviate throat discomfort can be used. It is also crucial to treat the cause of the illness. Generally, antiviral drugs are not specific, but ribavirin can be taken, along with Chinese herbal medicines that clear heat and detoxify. If there is a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a hospital doctor.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
47sec home-news-image

How is a cold treated?

How to treat a cold: Clinically, the treatment of colds mainly involves symptomatic treatment as well as antiviral etiological treatment. Colds are primarily divided into epidemic influenza and common colds. Comparatively, epidemic influenza has a longer duration and more severe symptoms. In children, colds mainly manifest as symptoms in the nasopharyngeal area. For symptomatic treatment, one can choose medications that influence gland secretion to treat a runny nose and sneezing. If symptoms like fever, soreness, or fatigue are present, one can take antipyretic and analgesic medications. At the same time, combine this with antiviral oral solutions or medications like Qingkailing to treat the virus.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
38sec home-news-image

What to do if you catch a cold in early pregnancy?

Catching a cold during early pregnancy is a rather tricky issue, as the viral infection can also affect the child's development. However, how to handle it depends on the symptoms of the cold. If it's just a simple cold, a sore throat, or nasal congestion, then it might be relieved by drinking more water. If symptoms cannot be alleviated with more water and rest, or if there is fever and severe body aches, then it is necessary to seek medical attention. Besides checking for the flu, under the guidance of a doctor, taking some medications is completely fine.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
47sec home-news-image

Do you need to take medicine for a cold with nasal congestion?

Nasal congestion due to a cold is very common in clinical practice. The need for medication depends on the type of cold and the patient's own immune function. If the patient has a cold caused by a viral infection and the symptoms are not severe, or if the patient generally likes to exercise and is young, a mild cold may not require medication and can heal on its own within about a week. For children or elderly individuals with weaker resistance, when an upper respiratory infection occurs, it is advisable to administer some medication for symptomatic treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and to avoid unnecessary complications.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

What should I do if I catch a cold during my menstrual period?

During menstruation, if cold symptoms occur and are mild, it is not recommended to use medication. Instead, drinking more warm water and resting is advisable. If the cold is severe, it is better to use traditional Chinese medicine with no side effects under the guidance of a doctor, as the body is weak and has lower immunity during menstruation, making it prone to colds. During menstruation, keep warm, avoid cold and chilling stimuli, eat a light diet with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, avoid vigorous exercise, and maintain personal hygiene.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liao Bin
Pulmonology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Can you drink alcohol when you have a cold?

You should not drink alcohol when you have a cold. Drinking alcohol during a cold often exacerbates the clinical symptoms of the cold, worsening the condition, and may even increase complications in some patients. Cold sufferers often experience marked upper respiratory tract catarrhal symptoms, and some may also feel generally unwell. Drinking alcohol can exacerbate these respiratory symptoms and sometimes lead to bacterial infections due to lowered immune defenses, resulting in acute suppurative tonsillitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other conditions. Moreover, drinking alcohol when you have a cold can trigger gastrointestinal disturbances, especially in patients with gastrointestinal-type colds, noticeably worsening symptoms such as nausea, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea. In cases of severe colds, where patients take oral cold medications, drinking alcohol can increase the adverse reactions of these medications, causing significant discomfort. Some bacterial colds require antibiotic treatment, especially oral cephalosporin antibiotics, where drinking alcohol may induce a disulfiram-like reaction; therefore, it is prohibited for cold sufferers to drink alcohol.