What medicine is good for children with colds?
Colds in children are one of the most common health problems faced by parents, especially when seasons change or temperatures change significantly. How to correctly choose drugs that can not only relieve symptoms but also avoid unnecessary side effects is a topic that many parents are concerned about. This article will provide you with a detailed medication guide based on popular discussions and authoritative advice from the entire Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Common symptoms of colds in children
Colds in children are usually caused by a viral infection. Common symptoms include:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| Fever | Body temperature exceeding 37.5°C may be accompanied by chills |
| cough | Dry cough or phlegm, which may worsen at night |
| runny nose | Watery or thick nasal discharge, which may block the nasal cavity |
| sore throat | Pain when swallowing, possibly accompanied by hoarseness |
| General malaise | Fatigue, decreased appetite, restless sleep |
2. Principles of cold medication for children
1.Mainly symptomatic treatment: Colds are mostly self-limiting diseases and do not require the use of antibiotics unless accompanied by bacterial infection.
2.Avoid compound drug abuse: Single-ingredient drugs are safer, while compound drugs may increase the risk of side effects.
3.Dosage strictly according to age: Medication dosage varies greatly among different age groups, so you must follow the doctor’s advice or instructions.
4.Prefer children’s dosage forms: Such as drops, suspension, etc., easy to take and accurate dosage.
3. Recommended common cold medicines for children
| Symptoms | drug type | Representative medicine | Applicable age | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fever/pain | Reduce fever and relieve pain | Acetaminophen, ibuprofen | more than 3 months | Avoid alternating use and keep intervals of 4-6 hours |
| Congested nose and runny nose | antihistamines | Loratadine syrup | 2 years old and above | May cause drowsiness |
| Cough with phlegm | expectorant | Ambroxol Oral Liquid | 1 year old and above | Drink more water to help eliminate phlegm |
| dry cough | antitussive medicine | Dextromethorphan | 6 years and above | Disabled when there is a lot of phlegm |
| sore throat | topical medication | Throat Sword Spray | 3 years and above | Do not eat for half an hour after spraying |
4. Drugs that need to be used with caution
1.Aspirin: May cause Reye's syndrome, banned for children under 12 years old.
2.Combination medicines containing ephedrine: May cause side effects such as palpitations and insomnia.
3.Reduced dosage for adults: Children are not "little adults" and have different metabolic systems.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Injection: The risk of use by children is higher and requires strict evaluation.
5. Hot topics of discussion within 10 days
| topic | focus | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| Flu vs common cold | How to tell the difference? Is oseltamivir needed? | Influenza has an acute onset and obvious high fever. It is best to take medication within 48 hours after diagnosis. |
| recurring colds | Low immunity or improper care? | It is normal for children to catch colds 6-8 times a year, but overprotection is detrimental to immune development. |
| aerosol treatment | Is a home nebulizer necessary? | There is no need for atomization for common colds. Asthmatic diseases require the guidance of a doctor. |
| Antibiotic abuse | What situations are needed? | Consider only when blood routine shows bacterial infection and symptoms continue to worsen. |
6. Non-drug nursing suggestions
1.Guaranteed rest: Adequate sleep helps the immune system recover.
2.hydration: Warm water, light soup, etc. can prevent dehydration and dilute phlegm.
3.The air is moist: Use a humidifier to relieve nasal congestion and cough (humidity 40%-60%).
4.diet conditioning: Easy-to-digest liquid food and avoid irritating food.
5.physical cooling: Warm water bath to assist in reducing fever (alcohol is prohibited).
7. When do you need medical treatment?
You should seek medical attention promptly if the following situations occur:
• Fever in infants under 3 months old
• High fever that persists for 3 days (above 39℃)
• Rapid, labored breathing (>40 breaths per minute)
• Listlessness or unusual irritability
• Refusal to eat or significant decrease in urine output
• Special symptoms such as rash and stiff neck
8. Prevention is better than cure
1.Get vaccinated: Influenza vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, etc.
2.hygiene habits: Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face.
3.Dress wisely: Increase or decrease according to activity level to avoid over-wrapping.
4.Nutritionally balanced: Ensure protein and vitamin intake.
5.moderate exercise: Enhance physical fitness but avoid excessive fatigue.
The safety of children's medication is no small matter. Parents should neither "go to the doctor in a hurry" nor "keep their illness under wraps". Only by mastering scientific medication knowledge and taking appropriate nursing measures can we help children get through the cold period smoothly. When symptoms are atypical or persist, it is important to seek professional medical help promptly.
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