How to treat a cold in children

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on January 28, 2025
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Pediatric colds, also known as upper respiratory tract infections in children, are the most common illnesses among children. They primarily manifest as inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, nasopharynx, and throat, which can lead to conditions such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, and acute tonsillitis. Collectively, these are referred to as upper respiratory tract infections, or simply pediatric colds. The treatment of pediatric colds mainly focuses on preparing for and preventing complications. Secondly, symptomatic treatment is essential. When a child has a high fever, antipyretics should be taken, and physical cooling can be achieved through cold compresses, or warm moist compresses. Children with febrile convulsions should be given sedatives and antispasmodics while reducing the fever. For significant nasal congestion, local medications can be used, or physiological saline water can be used to rinse the nose. For throat pain, throat lozenges can be taken, or sprays that alleviate throat discomfort can be used. It is also crucial to treat the cause of the illness. Generally, antiviral drugs are not specific, but ribavirin can be taken, along with Chinese herbal medicines that clear heat and detoxify. If there is a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a hospital doctor.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
1min 21sec home-news-image

Where to press for a headache from a cold?

When we have a cold and experience headaches from wind-cold, we can alleviate some clinical symptoms through massage, targeting specific areas. The selection of massage points varies depending on the patient's pain location and clinical symptoms. For example, if the pain is in the yangming meridian, which typically presents with forehead pain, common points for massage would include Yintang, Shangxing, and Yangbai. For headaches in the taiyang meridian, points such as Tianzhu, Fengchi, Houxi, and Shenmai are chosen. If the headache encompasses the entire head, points like Baihui, Yintang, Taiyang, Touwei, Yangbai, Hegu, and Fengchi can be massaged. Clinically, it's essential to differentiate based on the different headache locations and symptoms to select the appropriate acupuncture points for massage. Additionally, if the headache is caused by external pathogenic factors, points like Fengchi and Fengmen can be differentiated, and adding moxibustion at Dazhui can also help alleviate symptoms of headache due to a cold.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if I catch a cold during my menstrual period?

During menstruation, if cold symptoms occur and are mild, it is not recommended to use medication. Instead, drinking more warm water and resting is advisable. If the cold is severe, it is better to use traditional Chinese medicine with no side effects under the guidance of a doctor, as the body is weak and has lower immunity during menstruation, making it prone to colds. During menstruation, keep warm, avoid cold and chilling stimuli, eat a light diet with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, avoid vigorous exercise, and maintain personal hygiene.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Which one causes body aches, bacterial cold or viral cold?

Bacterial colds and viral colds are named after the different microorganisms that cause the symptoms of colds. The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, pharynx, and larynx. Usually, when the body's resistance decreases or one is overly fatigued, it is very easy to be infected by external pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. However, when bacteria infect the human body, most of the symptoms are mainly concentrated in the nasopharyngeal area and do not spread throughout the body. On the other hand, viral colds are different. After infecting the human body, in addition to causing respiratory symptoms, viral colds also cause general discomfort throughout the body, such as headaches, limb weakness, muscle soreness, joint pain, and can even lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Thus, viral colds produce more severe whole-body symptoms.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can I eat oranges if I have a cold in the summer?

Colds that occur in the summer are generally more often heat-induced colds. Symptoms of heat-induced colds typically include fever, headache, or overall fatigue, along with chills, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and coughing among other clinical symptoms. It is generally not recommended for patients with such colds to eat oranges. Oranges are highly nutritious, containing a large amount of Vitamin C and some B vitamins. However, oranges can cause "internal heat," and eating too many oranges may exacerbate symptoms like sore throat. Therefore, it is generally advised not to eat oranges when one has a cold during summer. If one really wants to eat oranges, consuming a small amount, just a few segments, is acceptable.

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Written by Xu Peng
Pulmonology
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Is it good to eat oranges when you have a cold?

Eating oranges can help alleviate the symptoms of a cold. Oranges are rich in various vitamins and contain a lot of water. They help moisten the lungs, stop coughs, and enhance the body's immune system, aiding in the relief of symptoms. During a cold, it is also important to increase nutrition by consuming high-quality, high-protein foods such as milk, beef, and lean meats to replenish energy. If cold symptoms are severe, such as headaches, nausea, and high fever, one can take traditional Chinese medicine anti-cold treatments under the guidance of a doctor, such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, presenting symptoms like fever, cough, and yellow sputum, use antibacterial medication prudently based on the results of sputum culture and drug sensitivity tests, such as azithromycin or cephalosporin antibiotics.