What should I do if a child has a cold and an earache?

Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

Updated on September 17, 2024

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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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How to determine whether a child's cold is caused by a virus or bacteria

When determining whether a child's cold is caused by a viral infection or a bacterial infection, you can take the child to the hospital for a routine blood test. In most cases, it is caused by a viral infection. Combined with the routine blood test, if there is an increase in white blood cell count and neutrophil count, it usually indicates a bacterial infection. If the white blood cell count is normal, or low, along with an increase in lymphocyte count or percentage, it usually indicates a viral infection. Alternatively, combining this with a C-reactive protein test, if the C-reactive protein level significantly multiplies, then it indicates a bacterial infection.

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What to do about nasal congestion in children after a cold?

After a child catches a cold and exhibits symptoms of nasal congestion, antihistamine medication can be taken orally under the guidance of a doctor to relieve nasal congestion. Local use of nasal drops or saline solution, or the use of nasal spray locally can also relieve symptoms of nasal congestion. When a child has a cold causing nasal congestion, it is mostly because the nasal mucosa becomes congested and swollen after the cold, leading to the symptoms of nasal congestion. Some children may develop symptoms of allergic rhinitis after a cold. In addition to nasal congestion, most children may also experience symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing.

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What medicine should a child take for cough and cold?

If children develop a cough due to a cold, like occasional mild coughing, slight nasal congestion, and runny nose, without obvious fever, and they maintain a good spirit and appetite, parents do not need to worry too much. Let the children rest appropriately, drink more warm water, and eat a light, easily digestible, and nutritious diet. A common viral cold generally has a certain self-healing capability. However, if the cough is more severe with noticeable phlegm, a significant decline in spirits, or if high fever occurs, it is then essential to visit a hospital promptly for doctors to treat the child based on their condition. Typically, children should not take cold medicines that are meant for adults, as these can have significant side effects on children. A usual viral cold infection tends to be self-limiting, so parents should closely monitor the progress of the illness, and seek medical attention promptly if the condition worsens.

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What is the reason for a child's cold and persistent low fever?

During a cold, children may experience a low fever or even persistently high fever. A persistent low fever indicates that the child has not fully recovered from the illness, reflecting the recovery phase, or that the fever-reducing method being used may be inappropriate. In addition to administering oral cold medications based on the child's symptoms during a cold, oral antiviral medications can also be given to treat the illness jointly. Simultaneously, timely fever reduction measures should be implemented for children. A low fever, typically defined as a body temperature below 38.1°C, does not require oral fever-reducing medications. One can encourage the child to drink more water, frequently feed warm water, or repeatedly wipe the body with warm water, all of which can effectively reduce fever. If the low fever persists, it may be necessary to take the child to the hospital for a blood test to determine the appropriate medication for treatment based on the actual situation.

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Can children with a cold eat eggs?

When a child has a cold, the diet should definitely be light, offering easily digestible foods. If the baby does not have a fever, eggs can be consumed in moderate amounts as they provide a rich source of protein, phospholipids, vitamins, and other nutrients. However, if the baby has a fever, it is best to avoid giving them eggs because eggs are relatively hard to digest and rich in protein and phospholipids, which can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, a fever can affect digestive functions, which is not conducive to the baby's recovery. Therefore, it should be determined based on the situation.