The difference between heat cold and cold cold in children

Written by Zhang Cui Xiang
Pediatrics
Updated on February 02, 2025
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When children catch a cold, parents can use the following methods to determine whether it is a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat. Parents can observe the child's nasal discharge. Generally, children with a cold have a runny nose. If the discharge is clear, it usually indicates a wind-cold cold. If the nasal discharge is thick and somewhat yellow, it suggests a wind-heat cold. Starting with clear nasal discharge and then turning yellow indicates that the child has inflammation. Parents can also judge by observing how much the child is bothered by the cold. Generally, a wind-cold cold will show more obvious signs of being chilly, with an increase in body temperature, while a wind-heat cold doesn't show chilly symptoms as noticeably, or may not show any at all. It is important to watch for signs of the child shivering. Based on these identification methods, parents must timely administer appropriate medication to treat the child's symptoms.

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Do you have a cold and cough?

A cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection, is commonly caused by a decrease in immune function, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and fever due to viral invasion of the respiratory tract. Additionally, it is quite common for patients to experience varying degrees of cough during a cold. Due to the different pathogens that trigger colds, there is a significant variation in the clinical symptoms exhibited by patients. Naturally, the severity of symptoms also varies depending on the individual's immune strength. Thus, in treating colds, some patients might experience a dry cough initially and later develop a productive cough. These are both common occurrences, and effective control can be achieved with appropriate symptomatic treatment.

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How many days will it take for a cold headache to get better?

Headache is a common symptom of the cold, which generally eases within three to four days. If a cold is accompanied by headaches, it is often considered severe. Symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue may indicate a viral infection. It is advised to take antiviral medications under a doctor's guidance, along with medications for the cold to treat and alleviate these symptoms. Additionally, if the headache is severe, it's advisable to take some pain relief medication to ease the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water to promote excretion and boosting the immune system are also recommended. Moreover, maintaining a cheerful mood, keeping warm, avoiding exposure to cold, engaging in moderate exercise to enhance physical constitution, and avoiding strenuous activities which may lower resistance and exacerbate the cold are important. Therefore, it is suggested to engage in soothing exercises, avoid staying up late, and ensure adequate sleep to strengthen the body's defenses.

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Is a wind-heat cold contagious?

In traditional Chinese medicine, a cold caused by wind-heat is seen as resulting from the combination of wind and heat pathogens. The symptoms include fever with relatively high heat signs, slight aversion to wind, not much sweating, headache, facial redness, coughing, sticky or yellow phlegm, thick yellow nasal discharge, dry throat or red and swollen throat, and other symptoms such as swollen and painful throat, nasal congestion, and dry mouth. The wind-heat type of cold in Chinese medicine generally corresponds to what is considered the common cold and influenza in Western medicine, both of which are recognized as viral infections. Therefore, the wind-heat cold is contagious, and patients should maintain a certain distance from others.

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What to eat for a child with a cold?

If a child's cold is considered to be caused by a viral infection, it is important to monitor the baby's temperature and mental response, among other factors. If the child does not have a fever, or only has a low fever and is in good spirits, simply monitoring the baby’s condition and ensuring they drink plenty of warm water and eat light, easily digestible foods is sufficient, with no other special requirements needed. However, some colds, such as those with persistent high fever, lethargy, and poor responsiveness, are more serious and require immediate attention. It is crucial to visit the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment in these cases. Sometimes, the impact of a cold should not be underestimated, as diseases like myocarditis and intracranial infections can initially be triggered by a cold. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis is necessary to make a judgement, and treatment should proceed 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.