What should I do if a child has a cold and fever?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Children's colds and fevers are caused by viral or bacterial infections, with the vast majority being viral infections. First, we need to ensure that the child is well-hydrated and also manage the symptoms. When the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, administer antipyretic medication to the child, such as ibuprofen suspension or acetaminophen. The interval between doses of these medications should be at least six hours. Additionally, give the child cold relief granules to alleviate the symptoms of the cold. When the body temperature is below 38.5 degrees Celsius, physical cooling methods can be applied, such as using fever-reducing patches, taking lukewarm baths, or wiping the forehead, neck, armpits, and groin—areas where large blood vessels are located—with a warm towel. Throughout the process, it is very important to keep the child hydrated. If the child's cold and fever persist, a complete blood count should be performed to check for a bacterial infection. If a bacterial infection is present, treatment with antibiotics should be administered under the guidance of a hospital doctor, based on the child’s condition. Controlling the infection is essential for reducing the fever and bringing the child's temperature down, ultimately helping the child return to normal.

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What should I do if a child has a cold with a persistent high fever?

For a minor cold accompanied by persistent high fever, firstly, it is essential to monitor body temperature. If the fever continues, the initial step should be to reduce the fever, which can be done by taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen orally every 4 to 6 hours as required. Additionally, physical cooling methods such as tepid sponge baths, warm baths, and drinking warm water can also be used. If the fever persists or recurs, it's crucial to visit a hospital for routine blood tests and C-reactive protein assessments to evaluate the condition and determine whether it is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. If a bacterial infection is suspected, sensitive antibiotics should be used to treat the infection. If a viral infection is considered to be the cause of the ongoing fever, treatment should primarily focus on fever reduction. Attention should also be paid to mental responses and changes in body temperature.

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What fruits are good for children to eat when they have a cold?

During a cold, babies generally have reduced appetite. At this time, it is appropriate to supplement some fruits for the baby, which can enhance the baby's appetite, aid in digestion, and provide a significant amount of vitamin C and calories. It can also enhance the baby's resistance and immunity, promoting recovery from the illness. For example, eating more apples, pears, bananas, grapefruits, oranges, and other fruits that are rich in vitamin C and are bright in color and sweet in taste, which are favored by babies. However, during the process of feeding fruits to a baby, it is essential to adopt a method of eating small meals frequently. Try to avoid giving the baby raw, cold food and do not overfeed as it might lead to poor digestion. Furthermore, it is best not to feed the baby foods that are likely to cause allergies, as this can affect the baby's digestive absorption functions.

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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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What to do if a child has a cold and is short of breath?

There are two common causes of shortness of breath in children with colds, and the corresponding treatments are as follows: First, shortness of breath in children with colds is mainly due to respiratory obstruction caused by cold symptoms, leading to blockages in the nasal mucosa. This can easily lead to breathing difficulties, so shortness of breath occurs. We can use warm, damp towels or drop vitamin AD drops into the nasal cavity, among other methods. A warm, damp towel can be placed near the nasal cavity, and the principle of water vapor evaporation can effectively alleviate the blockage of the nasal mucosa. Dropping vitamin AD drops into the nasal cavity can also effectively moisten and lubricate the nasal mucosa, relieving nasal blockages and thus improving symptoms of shortness of breath from a cold. The second cause of shortness of breath from a cold is due to myocarditis or cardiac damage following a viral cold. For mild cases, oral medications that nourish the heart muscle should be administered for treatment, and children must ensure they rest and avoid strenuous activity. For severe cases, intravenous infusions and medications that nourish the heart muscle are needed for treatment. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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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.