How to Treat a Child's Cold in the Early Stages

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on January 03, 2025
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Children's colds are mostly viral infections and are self-limiting, which means they can resolve on their own. Therefore, no special treatment is needed in the early stages of a child's cold, but it is important for the child to drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. If an adult at home has a cold, avoid contact with the child and ensure good ventilation; windows should be opened daily for air circulation. Additionally, feed the child light, easily digestible foods. If the child experiences significant nasal congestion or runny nose causing discomfort, child-specific cold granules or physiological saline nasal wash can be used to relieve the symptoms of the cold. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Why do colds cause headaches?

Why does a cold cause headaches? A cold is a viral infection, and the inflammation stimulates the body's temperature regulation center, causing immune-related fever, which leads to complications such as fever, headache, and limb pain. Additionally, a cold can cause symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, and tearing, which can also pull and cause forehead pain. Therefore, whether the headache is caused by any of these reasons, one can choose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic medications to relieve the symptoms. At the same time, treatment should also be paired with symptomatic medication and antiviral drugs for a targeted approach.

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Can you eat peaches when you have a cold?

People with colds can eat peaches. For those suffering from a cold, eating some fruits such as peaches, apples, and pears can be beneficial for their condition. Patients with a cold should also pay attention to maintaining a light diet, drinking plenty of water, ensuring sufficient sleep, and avoiding staying up late. These general measures may gradually help the patient recover. However, it is also important to note that some patients with prominent cold symptoms may need to use cold medicines for symptomatic treatment. These medications can help alleviate symptoms and reduce discomfort, which is beneficial for the patient. It is also important to monitor the patient's condition as some individuals with a cold may develop complications, such as acute sinusitis or rhinitis. Therefore, if cold symptoms persist, it is necessary to visit a hospital promptly to investigate the cause.

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How to reduce the heat for wind-heat cold?

If the wind-heat cold is not too severe, it is recommended to drink more water and usually do a good job of keeping warm to dispel cold and dampness. Also, it is important to exercise more, sweat more, improve physical fitness, enhance immunity, avoid eating too greasy, spicy, and stimulating foods, and eat more light fruits and vegetables. You can also drink some mung bean soup, which can cool down the body, clear heat, and detoxify. You can also take some Chinese patent medicines, such as Yin Qiao San or Ju Hua San. If the condition is more serious, you can use traditional Chinese medicine methods, such as acupuncture and scraping. (Please follow medical advice when using medicine.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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Changes in cold symptoms

The symptoms and changes of a cold are primarily determined by the infecting virus. Clinically, it is mainly divided into the common cold and influenza. The common cold is mainly caused by infections of rhinovirus, adenovirus, and pharyngovirus, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and sore throat. The other type of cold refers to influenza, which is caused by influenza virus or parainfluenza virus infections, primarily manifested by muscle soreness in the limbs, fatigue, sore throat, and compared to the common cold, the ear, nose, and throat symptoms are relatively mild.

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What to eat for a cold caused by wind-cold

Cold due to wind-cold primarily occurs when the body's resistance is weakened, and it is exposed to the pathogenic influence of wind-cold. This pathogenic influence remains inside the body and cannot be expelled promptly. Symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose with clear discharge, sneezing, headache, aversion to cold, and floating pulse may occur. At this time, it is necessary to take some food or medicine that dispels wind and cold, and releases the exterior to regulate the body. You may choose to drink ginger and brown sugar water; ginger has an excellent effect in dispersing wind-cold, and brown sugar can enhance the body's resistance. Drink it hot to induce a slight sweat, which can quickly improve the symptoms of a cold due to wind-cold. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)