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

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 10, 2024
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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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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How should a child's cough be treated after a cold?

After catching a cold followed by coughing, this is often due to viral or bacterial infections leading to pharyngitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia that cause coughing. Under this circumstance, the initial treatment is anti-infection. If it is considered a bacterial infection, then sensitive antibiotics should be added either orally or intravenously; if a viral infection is considered, then the primary treatment is symptomatic. For instance, taking some expectorant and cough suppressant medications, including Western or proprietary Chinese medicines. Concurrently, nebulizer inhalation can be administered to achieve expectoration, spasm relief, and cough suppression. Additionally, intravenous cough suppressants, enhancing back patting, and drinking more warm water can help dilute sputum and promote its expulsion among other treatments.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What foods are good for children with a cold?

Children's colds are acute upper respiratory infections, and children can have rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc. Most are caused by viral infections and are self-limiting. Therefore, during a cold, it is important to ensure that the child drinks plenty of water, rests a lot, eats more green vegetables, and supplements some vitamins. The diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding heavy meals with large fish and meat, as well as snacks, sweets, and even puffed food. It is very helpful for the recovery from a cold to eat more fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C. Also, drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of rest are very important.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What should I do if a child has a cold and an earache?

When a child catches a cold, it indicates that the child has an acute upper respiratory tract infection. About 90% of acute upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viral infections, and approximately 10% are caused by bacterial infections. It is important to actively deal with a child's cold. If a child experiences ear pain during the cold, it is essential to take the child to an otolaryngologist to check their ears, as acute otitis media is the most common complication after a cold. The child may develop acute serous otitis media, and if not promptly treated, it can lead to rupture or perforation of the eardrum. Therefore, it is crucial to rule out otitis media when a child with a cold experiences ear pain. If otitis media is ruled out and the child still has ear pain, it may simply be a symptom of the cold.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Will children with colds have recurrent low-grade fever?

Children with a cold may experience recurrent low fevers. In children, colds are generally caused by viral infections, such as rhinoviruses, common coronaviruses, etc. The symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, etc., and the duration of the illness is mostly three to five days, usually not exceeding a week. Therefore, during the course of the illness, the symptoms of a cold may recur. During the illness, fever-reducing measures are taken, such as physical cooling and medication. However, after the fever subsides, it may recur, which is a normal phenomenon.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What to do for quick relief of nasal congestion in children with a cold?

A minor cold with nasal congestion is likely caused by a viral infection leading to swelling of the nasal mucosa, and thus, blocking the nasal passages. For quick relief, we can initially take oral medications such as children's acetaminophen-diphenhydramine granules, etc., which can promote the contraction of the nasal mucosa. Additionally, antiviral oral solutions can be taken for antiviral treatment. Locally, a 3% sodium chloride solution can be used for nasal drops to promote the contraction of the nasal mucosa, or physiological seawater nasal drops can also be used for the same purpose. Furthermore, physiological saline can be used to wash the nasal cavity, and then a nasal aspirator can be used to clean the secretions inside the nasal cavity, which also helps to clear the nasal passages.