Question

My baby has had a cold for a week (coughing for 3 days), and although the coughing has decreased, there is still phlegm in the throat and a runny nose. What medication should I use for treatment?

Answer

If a child has a runny nose, cough, and phlegm in their throat, it is recommended to have them drink plenty of water, take pediatric cough syrup. If the child is willing, pear water and autumn pear syrup can also be effective. Guidance:

  1. At the onset of a cold, symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion may appear. At this time, it is important to have the baby drink plenty of water, increase the supply of vitamin C, which can be achieved by drinking vitamin C effervescent tablets or freshly squeezed orange juice to boost their immunity. If you think the baby has caught a cold due to wind or chill, it is advisable to first give them pediatric cold medicine (or Baby Tai Kang, which is very effective for early-stage colds), pay attention to keeping warm, avoid drafts, and try to control the spread of respiratory infections.
  2. If coughing symptoms arise, be vigilant. Generally speaking, if a child has a cough, it is important to visit a hospital for a check-up. The main purpose is for the doctor to listen for any inflammation in the bronchi or lungs. If there is no inflammation and it is just an upper respiratory infection, do not take the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor; there is no need to get injections or even intravenous drips. Colds are mostly caused by viruses, and taking antibiotics is ineffective; it can only damage the body’s own immune system.