The culprit that causes colds
Upper respiratory tract infection, commonly known as a "cold" or "flu," is the most common illness in childhood. While pathogens causing colds can include bacteria, viruses, and mycoplasma, medical statistics show that over 90% of colds are caused by viruses. Colds can occur year-round, but are more prevalent in autumn and winter, largely due to climate change.
Most colds can be cured quickly with treatment, but due to children's weak resistance, the severity of the illness, or delayed treatment, complications such as acute bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, otitis media, and viral myocarditis may occur, seriously affecting children's growth and development and physical and mental health, and in severe cases, even endangering their lives.
Why do babies catch colds so easily?
Almost every child has caught a cold, and some children may even catch colds repeatedly throughout the year. This is determined by the physiological characteristics of children themselves.
Children, in their growth and development stage, have organs that are still developing, physiological functions that are not yet fully mature, and an underdeveloped immune system, making them more susceptible to illness. When a child's resistance decreases, viruses and bacteria can easily invade, causing illness. Additionally, children cannot regulate their body temperature or control their hunger and satiety. Furthermore, their active nature often leads to them playing until they are sweating profusely, making them prone to catching a cold when they become still. If illness is not treated promptly, complications can quickly develop, harming the child's health.
What are the symptoms of a baby catching a cold?
After a baby is infected with a germ, most will experience symptoms such as a runny nose with clear discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion, and coughing. Some babies may breathe through their mouths due to nasal congestion, or become irritable and cry incessantly. Older children may complain of a sore throat, or experience fever, with temperatures reaching 39℃-40℃. In rare cases, high fever may cause seizures, or diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. However, parents don't need to worry too much; with timely treatment and proper care, a cold usually resolves within 3-5 days.
Three home remedies for treating childhood colds
There are different types of colds in children. If the symptoms are mild and there are no symptoms such as high fever, wheezing, or vomiting, you can first try to identify the type of cold at home based on the symptoms and signs. Then, choose appropriate traditional Chinese medicine for home treatment to avoid increasing the chance of cross-infection between the child and other sick children if you go to the hospital.
Common cold
Symptoms of discomfort:
The fever is mild, there is no sweating, and the child is sensitive to cold and likes to be held in an adult's arms. The child also has a runny nose with clear mucus and coughs intermittently. The cough produces a rattling sound in the throat, the phlegm is thin and clear, and easily expectorated. The tongue coating is thin and white.
Recommended medications:
1. Relieves Soreness Pills/Oral Liquid
For oral administration of honey pills: Children under 1 year old take 1/2 pill each time, 2-3 times a day; children aged 2-3 years take 1 pill each time, 2-3 times a day.
Oral liquid: Children under 3 years old take 2-5 ml each time, 2-3 times a day; children aged 3 to 12 years old take 5-10 ml each time, 3 times a day.
2. Children's Lung-Clearing Oral Liquid
Children under 1 year old should take 5 ml each time, 3 times a day; children aged 2-5 years should take 10 ml each time, 3 times a day; children over 6 years old should take 15-20 ml each time, 3 times a day.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedies:
1. Take 15 grams of scallion whites with roots, 3 grams of coriander, 5 jujubes, and 3 grams of ginger, and shred them. Add an appropriate amount of water and boil for 5-10 minutes. Drink it while it is hot. This can help to dispel cold and induce sweating to relieve exterior symptoms.
2. Take 20 grams of cabbage root, 30 grams of white radish, and 60 grams of brown sugar, boil them together in water and drink the hot beverage. This can also relieve the exterior symptoms by dispelling cold and inducing sweating.
Wind-heat common cold
Symptoms of discomfort:
High fever, excessive sweating, red lips, dry and red throat with pain, nasal congestion with yellow purulent nasal discharge, heavy and hoarse cough with little phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, and yellow and greasy tongue coating.
Recommended medications:
1. Pediatric Cold Relief Syrup
For children under 1 year old, take 2.5-5 ml each time, 3 times a day; for children aged 2-3 years, take 5-10 ml each time, 3 times a day; for children aged 4-6 years, take 10-15 ml each time, 3 times a day.
2. Pediatric Pharyngitis Granules
Children under 2 years old should take 4 grams twice a day; children aged 3-5 years should take 4 grams three times a day; and children over 6 years old should take 8 grams two to three times a day.
3. Pediatric Fever-Clearing Oral Solution
For children under 1 year old, take 2.5 ml each time, 3 times a day; for children aged 1-3 years, take 5-10 ml each time, 3 times a day; for children aged 3-7 years, take 10-15 ml each time, 3 times a day.
