Question
A 1-year-2-month-old child has been suffering from a stuffy nose and runny nose for ten days. There are no special medical history, and the child has had little improvement with the use of bronchitis cough syrup and Aitang. The inquiry is about how to care for and medicate the child.
Answer
When a child has a cold, it’s not advisable to rush to reduce fever. Fever is the body’s defense mechanism, helping to eliminate germs and promote growth and development. If the body temperature exceeds 39°C, fever reduction should be done under medical guidance, with physical cooling methods such as cold compresses and alcohol sponge baths preferred. If physical cooling is ineffective, consider using fever-reducing medication, but avoid using APC (compound aspirin) for children under 3 years old, as it may cause seizures, dehydration, or liver and kidney damage. It is recommended to use An’ejin nasal drops or Puzhailin tablets, among other medications. At the same time, attention should be paid to observing changes in the condition; if symptoms do not improve or worsen, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.