Treatment and care of children's colds

1. What is a cold?

Children often catch colds at the turn of the seasons, especially in winter and spring, and are mainly caused by viruses. At this time, if children catch a cold, are overly tired, or lack exercise, they may catch a cold. Colds are mainly characterized by catarrhal symptoms in the nasopharynx, and may include sneezing, nasal congestion, watery nasal discharge, and pharyngeal congestion.

2. Classification of colds

Colds are divided into common colds and influenza. The differences between the two are as follows:

1) Symptoms: The common cold is mainly characterized by nasopharyngeal symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and sore throat; the symptoms of influenza are more severe, mainly high fever, chills, and body aches.

2) Viruses: The common cold is mainly caused by rhinovirus (30-50%), followed by coronavirus (10-15%), respiratory syncytial virus (5%), etc. Influenza is mainly caused by influenza A and B viruses.

3. Treatment of colds in children

The common cold is self-limiting to a certain extent. Children with mild symptoms only need to rest properly, drink plenty of water, and eat a light diet. Generally, it can heal itself in 7-10 days. Children with more severe symptoms need drug treatment. Drug treatment mainly focuses on antiviral and symptomatic treatment. Some Chinese medicines, such as Scutellaria baicalensis and Honeysuckle, have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. Western medicines such as oseltamivir can effectively resist influenza A and B viruses. These drugs are used in the early stage of a cold to effectively resist viruses and reduce the symptoms of a cold. Symptomatic treatment drugs, such as acetaminophen, an antipyretic and analgesic drug, can be taken during a cold to reduce headaches, limb pain and fever caused by the cold; pseudoephedrine hydrochloride can relieve congestion of the nasopharyngeal mucosa and reduce nasal congestion; chlorpheniramine can relieve sneezing symptoms, etc. Taking the above drugs during a cold can make our children more comfortable.

4. Nursing of children with colds

Caring for a cold is very simple. Just remember one tip: wash your hands frequently, ventilate more, and don't go where there are many people. Drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and eat fruits, vegetables, and milk. Exercise regularly and get enough rest, and don't catch a cold during the flu season.

5. How to wash your hands correctly

Seven-step hand washing method: 1. Step 1 (inside): wash your palms with running water to wet your hands, apply hand sanitizer (or soap), palms facing each other, fingers together and rub each other; 2. Step 2 (outside): wash the back of the fingers, palms against the back of the hand, rub the fingers together, and exchange hands; 3. Step 3 (clamp): wash the palm of the fingers, palms facing each other, cross your hands and rub each other along the fingers; 4. Step 4 (bow): wash the back of the fingers, bend the joints of each finger, half-clench the fist, put the back of the fingers on the palm of the other hand and rotate and rub them, and exchange hands; 5. Step 5 (big): wash the thumb, hold the thumb of the other hand with one hand and rotate and rub them, and exchange hands; 6. Step 6 (standing): wash the fingertips, bend the joints of each finger, put the fingertips together in the palm of the other hand and rotate and rub them, and exchange hands; 7. Step 7 (wrist): wash the wrists and arms, rub the wrists and arms, and exchange hands.