Symptoms of a baby catching a cold

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on March 09, 2025
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Symptoms of a cold in infants vary widely. Generally, they may exhibit one or several of the following symptoms. The first is upper respiratory tract catarrhal symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. The second is respiratory symptoms, which may manifest as varying degrees of coughing, with or without phlegm. The third is symptoms of fever, which can occur to different extents. The fourth concerns gastrointestinal symptoms; the baby may experience reduced appetite, vomiting, abdominal distension, irritability, crying, diarrhea, among others.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What should pregnant women eat when they have a cold?

If you experience cold symptoms during pregnancy, the first thing to note is not to take medications blindly on your own. If it becomes necessary to take medication, it must be taken under the guidance of a doctor and specifically for the symptoms. Initially, you can improve the symptoms of a cold by daily conditioning, such as eating some light fruits and vegetables, supplementing vitamins, and appropriately consuming some porridge. Also, rest more, avoid overexertion, consume fruits rich in Vitamin C to boost metabolism and enhance your immunity, do not stay up late, and ensure sufficient sleep. If the situation is severe, you can appropriately take some anti-cold traditional Chinese medicines, such as anti-inflammatory traditional Chinese medicines to treat and alleviate symptoms. (The doctor's answer is for reference only, please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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How to treat a viral cold

How to treat viral colds depends on whether it is an epidemic flu or a common cold. If it is just a common viral cold, special treatment is generally not needed. Pay attention to rest, ensure sufficient good sleep and appropriate indoor temperature and humidity. By drinking more boiled water and eating more vegetables, you can naturally recover. If it is epidemic flu, you can choose to take antipyretic analgesics and antiviral drugs to relieve symptoms. You can take Qingkailing, combined with acetaminophen, vitamin C, Yinqiao tablets, and other medications. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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Can I eat beef when I have a cold?

If you have a cold and are in the initial stage of the illness, it is best not to eat beef. However, during the recovery phase, it is appropriate to consume some beef. As beef is a warming and nourishing food rich in protein, trace elements, and other nutrients, it can fulfill the body's various nutritional needs. Eating beef can enhance one’s resistance and aid in quicker recovery from the illness. It is also recommended to eat beef in moderation and not consume too much at once, as excessive intake can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and potentially burden the digestive system, causing symptoms of indigestion. It is advisable to drink appropriate amounts of water to boost metabolism and improve resistance. Additionally, during a cold, it is important to rest adequately, avoid overexertion, and maintain a light diet.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
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What should a baby eat when they have a cold?

Most colds in children are caused by viral infections. During a cold, it is normal to take oral cold medications and antiviral drugs. Additionally, we should consider the specific condition of the child's cold. For simple symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose, just taking cold medications and antivirals should suffice. However, if the child has other symptoms such as gastrointestinal nausea and vomiting, it may be necessary to also use digestive aids to adjust the stomach and intestines. If the cold is accompanied by fever, with temperatures exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius, antipyretics are also needed for treatment. Besides medication, it is important to maintain a light and reasonable diet and ensure proper rest during a cold. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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What should a baby eat when they have a cold?

During a cold, both babies and adults generally prefer liquid food over solid food. Babies who haven't started on solid food should drink as much milk as possible. For those who are beginning to eat solid foods, in addition to drinking more milk, you can also appropriately increase their intake of plain water and rice porridge. Older children, besides the aforementioned, can also appropriately consume some light soups and can increase their intake of fresh vegetables and fruits. These can be made into vegetable purees or juiced according to the baby's needs. Babies are more prone to dehydration when they have a cold or fever. To prevent dehydration or treat mild dehydration, fresh apple juice can be used as a substitute. For moderate or severe dehydration, seek medical attention promptly; the doctor will take necessary measures for rehydration.