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Common cold
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.
The difference between influenza and the common cold
Influenza, or the flu, is an epidemic caused by the influenza virus, often characterized by severe systemic symptoms such as chills, high fever, and body aches. However, the symptoms related to the nasal pharynx are relatively mild, such as light sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. The common cold, often referred to as a cold or rhinitis, is also caused by viral infection and can be caused by various viruses such as rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, influenza virus, and parainfluenza virus. The general systemic symptoms of the common cold are relatively mild, such as fever, headache, and chills. Symptoms related to the ears, nose, and throat are more pronounced, including distinct sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and throat discomfort.
Physical cooling methods for colds
Fever symptoms caused by a cold can be treated with physical cooling methods. There are many commonly used methods in clinical practice. For adults, one can wipe the palms, soles, neck, and chest—areas where major blood vessels run—with warm water or alcohol. You can also use a cool towel or ice packs to compress the forehead. Drinking herbal concoctions like scallion water or ginger sugar water can also help reduce fever physically. Additionally, soaking feet in Sichuan peppercorn water can be effective. Regardless of the method used, it's important to drink plenty of water and recheck the temperature after two hours.
The difference between viral influenza and the common cold.
The common cold is mostly caused by viruses and has milder symptoms, mainly including cough, nasal congestion, and runny nose. It tends to resolve on its own, and the whole-body symptoms are mild. Viral colds usually refer to colds where a specific pathogen can be identified, also known as influenza, such as H1N1, H3N2, type A influenza, and type B influenza prevalent in the winter and spring seasons. Its whole-body symptoms are more severe, mainly including fever, sore throat, headache, whole-body muscle soreness, poor spirits, fatigue, and other systemic symptoms.
Quick remedy for children's cold and nasal congestion
Children experiencing nasal congestion due to a cold is mainly because of the congestion and swelling of the nasal mucosa, coupled with an increase in nasal secretions, which leads to the blockage. There isn't a specific effective treatment for children's nasal congestion like there is for adults in the ENT field, which uses medications that quickly shrink the nasal mucosa. These medications can have significant side effects for children, potentially affecting the nasal blood vessels and the normal state of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, if a child is experiencing nasal congestion, it is recommended to visit a hospital where the doctor can provide specific treatment according to the child's condition. Parents should not use adult decongestants on their children without professional advice.
How to get over a cold quickly?
The common cold is one of the most frequent infectious diseases seen in clinical practice and is also a self-limiting illness. It is often caused by factors such as exposure to cold, staying up late, stress, and lack of sleep, which lead to decreased immunity. Consequently, viruses or the influenza virus may take advantage and infect the body, causing symptoms of the common cold. To treat a cold, one should first drink plenty of warm water and measure their temperature twice daily. The main principle of treatment is symptomatic treatment and antiviral management. One may choose to take Ribavirin or Qingkailing for antiviral treatment. If symptoms like fever and runny nose are present, one can opt for antipyretic analgesics and drugs that reduce glandular secretions. Concurrently, include more vitamin C-rich foods in the diet. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
How to deal with a child's cold and low fever
When a child has a mild fever due to a cold, it is often likely caused by a viral infection. In this case, it's important to monitor the child's temperature. Initially, physical methods to reduce fever can be adopted, such as encouraging the child to drink more warm water, giving warm water sponge baths, or bathing in warm water. Additionally, appropriate oral antiviral medications and some traditional Chinese medicines, such as those that clear heat and detoxify, can be administered. It is also vital to observe the child's behavior and check for symptoms like coughing, vomiting, runny nose, or diarrhea.
What department should I go to for a cold?
Colds are generally divided into common colds and influenza. For a common cold, one can visit the department of respiratory medicine; if this department is unavailable, one may alternatively visit the general internal medicine department. This disease can also be treated at community hospitals under the general practice department. Additionally, influenza is a contagious disease, so it is typically advised to seek treatment at a fever clinic or a clinic specializing in infectious diseases. If these options are not available, it is recommended to go to a hospital that can treat influenza.
How to determine if a full moon baby has a cold
Generally, a one-month-old baby cannot express discomfort, so it is difficult to determine whether they have caught a cold. To judge if a baby has a cold, you need to observe if there are any changes in their usual behavior such as obvious spit-ups, decreased milk intake, increased sleep duration, deeper sleep, inconsolable crying or restlessness, labored breathing, nasal congestion, phlegm sounds in the throat, or frequent bubbles at the corners of the mouth. If the baby's breathing appears faster than usual, it likely indicates sickness. If parents notice their one-month-old is uncomfortable, it is imperative to promptly take the baby to a hospital for a thorough examination and treatment guidance from a specialist doctor.
How to care for a baby with a cold in the summer
If a baby catches a cold in the summer, it is essential to take care of them by avoiding cross-infection. Additionally, pay attention to how the baby is dressed. If someone in the house has a cold, they should minimize contact with the baby and avoid sneezing, coughing, or kissing the baby to prevent cross-infection. Dressing the baby should be moderate during a summer cold; it's not about wearing more layers. The clothing should make sure the baby’s neck or chest and abdomen are warm without causing sweating. Keep the baby away from crowded places and, if possible, have them stay at home. If air conditioning is used, ensure to ventilate the room by opening windows 1-2 times a day, and keep the baby away from direct drafts. If the baby experiences nasal congestion or tends to choke while feeding due to the cold, it is crucial to avoid lying them down flat immediately after feeding. Instead, hold the baby upright or slightly elevate their head to prevent choking and worsening of the condition.