Common Misconceptions and Correct Understanding of Children's Colds
Myth 1: Trying to bring down a fever as soon as it starts
Correct answer: It only cools down when the temperature exceeds 39℃.
Many parents rush to give their children fever-reducing medication themselves when they see a fever, or ask doctors to prescribe "strong medicine" to bring down the fever immediately. In fact, there is no need for this.
When a child has a fever, don't rush to reduce it. Fever is a defensive reaction of the body, which helps to eliminate invading germs and is also beneficial to the child's normal growth and development. Of course, if the child's fever exceeds 39°C, fever reduction should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor. Moreover, it is also important to go to the hospital to rule out other serious illnesses.
Myth 2: A common cold does not require medical attention.
Correct answer: You need to see a doctor to rule out other diseases.
Many parents believe that since colds are self-limiting, children with common colds don't need to go to the hospital. However, while colds are indeed self-limiting, it's still recommended that parents take their children, especially infants under 3 years old, to the hospital for even a common cold. This is because, firstly, it's necessary to rule out other serious illnesses, such as pneumonia or other infections; secondly, although mild cold symptoms may not require medication, a child's condition can change rapidly and requires close observation.
Acute upper respiratory tract infections are often accompanied by complications, especially in infants and young children. If the infection spreads to adjacent organs and tissues, it can cause otitis media, sinusitis, retropharyngeal abscess, peritonsillar abscess, cervical lymphadenitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In older children, pharyngitis caused by hemolytic streptococcal infection may lead to acute glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever. Severe complications can include myocarditis and encephalitis. "Acute upper respiratory tract infections are also frequently a prodromal symptom of various infectious diseases, such as measles, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, pertussis, and scarlet fever." Therefore, close observation of the child's condition and follow-up medical examinations for differential diagnosis are crucial.
Myth 3: Alcohol rubs are good for reducing fever.
Correct answer: It can cause body temperature to drop too quickly.
More and more parents are now consciously using physical cooling methods to reduce their children's fever. Among them, many parents use alcohol rubs to cool their children down. However, although this method is effective to some extent, it also carries certain risks.
When a child has a high fever, in addition to taking oral medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the fever, physical cooling methods are indeed a relatively safe approach, such as applying fever-reducing patches or giving a lukewarm bath. "However, using alcohol to rub the child down can easily cause the child's temperature to drop too quickly, leading to exhaustion. Therefore, it is not recommended for inexperienced parents to use alcohol to rub the child down."
Myth 4: Antibiotics make you recover faster
Correct answer: Antibiotics cannot shorten the course of the disease.
Many parents believe that antibiotics help children recover faster from colds. Zheng Juying says that antibiotics can be used under a doctor's guidance if the infection is a bacterial upper respiratory tract infection or a viral upper respiratory tract infection complicated by a secondary bacterial infection. However, most upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics.
Antibiotics are largely ineffective against viruses. Furthermore, there are many types of viruses that cause the common cold, and they mutate rapidly, making it difficult to identify the specific virus causing the cold. Currently, there are very few antiviral preparations specifically effective against any particular type of cold virus; in fact, they may cause adverse drug reactions. Antibiotics do not prevent colds, nor do they shorten the duration of illness; overuse of antibiotics only increases the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. Antibacterial drugs must be used under the guidance of a doctor.
Myth 5: Taking multiple medications simultaneously.
Correct answer: Avoid using more than one type of medication.
Many parents like to use multiple medications simultaneously when giving their children cold medicine, even using adult medications. However, because children are still growing and developing, and their organ functions are not fully mature, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the same drug in a child's body differ significantly from that in an adult, making adverse drug reactions more likely. Therefore, do not give over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicines to children under 6 years old; children over 6 years old should strictly follow the instructions on the package insert (including dosage and course of treatment), and use measuring instruments if the packaging contains them. Do not give children medications labeled as suitable only for adults.
Cold and cough medicines often contain multiple ingredients, and repeatedly using compound preparations with the same ingredients can lead to an overdose. Therefore, never give children more than one type of cold and cough medicine.
Myth 6: Taking traditional Chinese medicine is safer.
Correct answer: Avoid using highly toxic traditional Chinese medicines.
Many experts mistakenly believe that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is safer for children. This is not the case. For TCM containing significant toxic side effects, or those with specific toxic effects on children, it is best to avoid giving them to children unless absolutely necessary due to a lack of other treatment options. If TCM must be used, it is best to choose pediatric-specific medications. For non-pediatric TCM, the dosage should be determined based on the child's age and weight, ensuring both effectiveness and safety. "Furthermore, TCM should be administered orally or topically to children whenever possible, and injections should be used with caution," she added. She also cautioned that the course of treatment should be shortened as much as possible, and the dosage should be reduced or discontinued promptly, depending on the therapeutic effect of the TCM.
Dietary therapy for children's colds
Dietary therapy for children's colds (Part 1)
Grind 30 grams of mung beans into powder, and put 10 grams of tea leaves into a cloth bag. Add a bowl of water and simmer until half a bowl remains. Remove the tea bag and add an appropriate amount of brown sugar. This has a good effect of clearing heat and detoxifying.
Dietary therapy method for children's colds (Part 2)
Take 50 grams each of Malantou (purslane) and honeysuckle, and 10 grams of licorice root. Add a large bowl of water and decoct until half a bowl remains. Take 3-4 times daily. This is used to treat wind-heat colds with symptoms such as fever, chest tightness, dizziness, fatigue, and dark urine.
Three dietary therapy methods for children's colds
Take 15 grams each of garlic and ginger, slice them, add a bowl of water, and simmer until half a bowl remains. Drink this before bedtime. Add a suitable amount of brown sugar when taking it. This is specifically for treating colds caused by wind and cold.
Four dietary therapy methods for children's colds
Wash and chop 60 grams of scallion whites, add three cups of water and simmer until reduced to two cups. Drink one cup while it's hot, and reheat it half an hour later to drink another cup. This can treat colds caused by wind and cold, such as fever and nasal congestion.
Five dietary therapy methods for children's colds
Boil one radish and six to seven green olives in water and drink it as tea. This is a remedy for dry mouth and nose, fever, runny nose, sore throat, thirst, and cold symptoms.
Six dietary therapy methods for children's colds
Take an appropriate amount of scallion whites, finely shred them, steep them in boiling water to make a soup, and inhale the steam while it's still hot. This is a special remedy for nasal congestion caused by colds in infants.
